IT News
Jiribam, Sept 21:
Mongbung village, located in the violence-stricken region of Jiribam, was once again plunged into chaos on Friday night as suspected Kuki militants launched another assault on the Meitei settlement. The gunfire, which began around 9 PM, echoed through the Mongbung kuki and Sejang areas, turning the village into yet another battleground in the ongoing conflict.
Local sources report that the attack was initiated from Mongbung Kuki village, which sits atop a hillock overlooking the Meitei village at the foothills. The suspected Kuki militants unleashed a barrage of gunfire upon the Meitei village, prompting an immediate retaliation from the village’s armed volunteers. The firefight between the two groups quickly escalated, turning what had been a quiet evening into a terrifying ordeal for the local population.
The residents of Mongbung Meitei village have endured repeated attacks, with assaults occurring almost every day or on alternate days. These ongoing attacks have left the village in a constant state of fear and insecurity.
Despite repeated interventions by state and central security forces, who have conducted several combing operations in the area, the situation has remained dire. The combing operations, aimed at flushing out militants and restoring peace, have so far failed to halt the near-daily violence.
As the exchange of gunfire continued into the night, the atmosphere in Mongbung and surrounding villages grew increasingly tense. The sound of relentless gunshots reverberated through the hills, waking residents and spreading panic throughout the community.
Families living near the Mongbung and Sejang areas were forced to flee their homes, abandoning their belongings and seeking refuge under the cover of darkness in nearby safer locations.
“We were sleeping when the gunshots started. It’s become a regular occurrence now, and we’ve had to flee our homes so many times,” said a local resident, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “We don’t know when it will end. Every night, we are terrified that this could be the night we lose everything.”
The sustained gunfire lasted for hours, with bullets striking homes and other structures in the area. Many residents reported bullet holes in their houses. Families have expressed growing concerns over their safety and the possibility of further escalation.
“We are living in constant fear, not knowing what tomorrow will bring,” said another resident. “The security forces come and conduct operations, but as soon as they leave, the militants attack again. We don’t feel safe in our own homes anymore.”
The repeated attacks in Mongbung highlight the severe breakdown of law and order in the region.
While security forces have increased their presence in the area, their efforts have so far been unable to bring an end to the violence. The situation has left many villagers feeling abandoned, with few options for protection beyond their own armed volunteers.
As the village recovers from yet another night of terror, the future remains uncertain. With no signs of a lasting solution in sight, the residents of Mongbung are left to face the grim reality that peace may be a distant hope.
The situation in Mongbung and Sejang remains tense, with the potential for further confrontations looming on the horizon. Both villages are on high alert, with residents ready to flee at a moment’s notice, as the threat of attack has become an all-too-familiar aspect of their daily lives.
