Imphal: Once again, innocent villagers are on the targets of armed Kuki militants in Manipur. Fresh attacks on a Naga village in the trouble-hit state flare tensions in the hills. A fresh act of violence rocked Langka Naga village in Manipur on the morning of August 14, when suspected armed Kuki militants opened fire on farmers working in a paddy field, killing one person and injuring three others. The attack on Naga villagers by Kuki militants is not new in the region, but the attack on farmers has shocked the villagers.
Eyewitnesses said that the attack took place around 7:30 am while the farmers were busy in the paddy field. They claimed that more than 40 armed militants, carrying sophisticated weapons, stormed the area and opened fire without warning.
W Chawang, 34, died on the spot after sustaining gunshot injuries. Three other villagers — Kawidinang Abonmai (55), Maliangjinang Abonmai (52), and Namthiulungbou Prinmai (50) — were injured in the attack. The condition of one injured is said to be critical. The attack has left residents of the area shaken and anxious. Security forces have started a search and cordon operation in the area but locals said that the militants fled toward hills after the attack.
Police display massive recovery of arms, explosives
Manipur police have displayed over 1400 weapons recovered by security forces in various operations across the state. Addressing the public Director General of Police, Mukesh Singh said that the state’s fight against armed insurgency will continue until permanent and lasting peace is established in Manipur. He revealed that security forces have recovered a total of 1,422 weapons and 1,137 explosives in recent operations. DGP Singh said the recoveries were the outcome of sustained and well-coordinated operations carried out jointly by the Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and other law enforcement agencies. He noted that these efforts have significantly disrupted the network supporting armed violence in the state.
Along with the seizure of weapons, security forces have arrested 491 extremists during the same period, DGP Singh said. He added that as many as 1,574 search and combing operations were carried out in sensitive and conflict-affected areas, aimed at recovering illegal arms, apprehending those involved in unlawful activities, and dismantling militant infrastructure. “Most importantly, these operations are meant to prevent further violence against ordinary citizens,” Singh said.
On the drug front, the DGP said security agencies destroyed 692 acres of illegal poppy cultivation during the review period. A total of 158 cases were registered in connection with narcotics trafficking, leading to 223 arrests. Large quantities of heroin, brown sugar, opium, ganja and other banned substances were also seized, he added.
