IT News
Imphal, Feb 28:
A day after Arambai Tenggol and the Village Defence Force surrendered a large cache of arms and ammunition to the government, armed militants opened fire at a group of people performing a traditional ritual at Kongba Maru Laipham (Temple) under Sagolmang Police Station, Imphal East. The incident occurred around 9:45 AM today.
According to reports, suspected Kuki militants fired multiple rounds from a hilltop in an attempt to disrupt the Nongma Panba ritual, a traditional observance held on the first day of the lunar month Lamta. Despite the gunfire, the local priest and attendees continued the ritual, showing resilience in the face of the threats. The militants were also heard shouting slurs and abusive words, causing panic among the attendees.
A combined team of Manipur Police and the CRPF, led by the Additional SP (Law and Order), was present at the ritual site. Security forces swiftly responded to the attack and launched a search operation in the area. As a result, a joint team of Kangpokpi district Police and the 115 Battalion CRPF, under the supervision of Kangpokpi district SP, arrested four cadres of the KNF-P, an armed militant group under the United People’s Front (UPF).
The arrested individuals have been identified as Lungousem Kipgen (29), son of Seikhohao Kipgen of Phaijol Village, Kangchup, Kangpokpi District; Letminlal Kipgen (25) of Ebenezer Village; Satminlun Tuboi (24), son of Letmang Tuboi; and Thanggoulun Kilong (27), son of Sonkhothang Kilong of Luwangsanggol Village. During interrogation, they admitted to being cadres of KNF(P) and claimed to be operating under the command of Gogou Kipgen alias Jamin.
The arrested militants have been handed over to Kangpokpi Police Station for further investigation.
