Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, July 18:
The Sikibung (Sharkaphung) Village Authority has strongly condemned what it described as an attempted murder of a village resident, alleging that armed Kuki militants attacked and abducted him near the village boundary before he narrowly escaped.
In a statement issued, the Village Authority alleged that Abner Kasar was assaulted on July 17 after he witnessed a group of armed Kuki men allegedly engaged in illegal fishing at a privately owned pond belonging to one Mathotmi Shinglai, a resident of Sharkaphung Village. The pond is located along the boundary between Sharkaphung and Thawai Kuki village.
According to the Village Authority, the group was allegedly using a dynamite to catch fish when Kasar happened to pass through the area. Upon noticing his presence, seven armed men allegedly rounded him at gunpoint, forcibly took him towards their side of the boundary, repeatedly threatened to kill him, and subjected him to severe physical assault.
The statement claimed that Kasar was beaten with the butt of firearms and sustained multiple injuries during the ordeal.
It further alleged that he managed to escape only after making a desperate dash through the Havako river stream, thereby narrowly avoiding what the Village Authority described as “certain death.”
Calling the incident a “grave act of criminality,” the Village Authority alleged that the attackers not only trespassed onto private property but also attempted to eliminate a civilian simply because he had witnessed their alleged illegal activities. It described the incident as a serious threat to the safety and security of villagers and accused the perpetrators of acting with complete disregard for law and human life.
The Village Authority also raised questions over the role of security forces deployed in the vicinity, particularly Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed nearby. It questioned how heavily armed individuals were allegedly able to move freely and commit such acts despite the presence of security forces, while at the same time pointing out that four Sharkaphung villagers remain in police custody following their earlier arrest by the Bihar Regiment.
Expressing deep concern over what it termed “selective enforcement of law,” the Village Authority said the authorities had failed to provide adequate protection to innocent civilians. It warned that if such incidents continue unchecked, the responsibility would rest with the State Government and security agencies for failing to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens.