IT News
Imphal, Feb 17:
The attack on Sugnu continues unabated for the fourth consecutive day, with armed assailants unleashing a barrage of gunfire with automatic rifles, mortar rounds, and other powerful explosives. Despite the intensity of the attacks, there have been no reported fatalities thus far. However, a recent incident resulted in the injury of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan in Manipur’s Kakching district.
The injured head constable, Som Dutt, hailing from Himachal Pradesh, sustained a bullet wound on his left shoulder during an attack in Sugnu village. He has been admitted to a private hospital for treatment. Adding to the ongoing plight of the people, homes and livelihoods of many are now destroyed by the recent attacks.
Sugnu holds strategic importance as a junction between Churachanpur and Chandel, and control over this area is crucial for Kuki-Zo militants seeking to establish a separate road bypassing the valley. The road from Churachanpur to Sugnu, avoiding valley areas, is a key route that must be controlled to achieve this objective.
Reports indicate that armed Kuki-Zo militants have been launching consistent attacks on Sugnu over the past four days, including firing from hill slopes using machine guns and mortars. These armed men are engaged in gunfights with village volunteers stationed in the area since the attack started again yesterday evening around 8 pm. These attacks have occurred amidst the backdrop of the Home Ministry’s cancellation of FMR and Chief Minister Biren Singh’s announcement of implementing NRC with the base year as 1961.
Notably, violence had erupted in the Sungu area earlier in Manipur during Amit Shah’s visit last year in the month of May, resulting in casualties and extensive property damage due to arson which forced many to seek refuge in relief camps. Eventually, local volunteers managed to drive out the Kuki-Zo attackers after a prolonged armed confrontation.
