In connection with the incident in Ukhrul district on Friday evening wherein a BSF jawan succumbed to his injuries , Kuki CSO Working Committee,Ukhrul has claimed that Tangkhul militants firing leaves BSF Jawan critical.
As per source, the constable was immediately evacuated to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal. Despite efforts by medical professionals, he succumbed to his injuries at around 6 pm. The body has been kept at the RIMS mortuary.
In a release issued on friday, the Kuki CSO Working Committee Ukhrul alleged that the BSF jawan of 170/A was critically injured in an attack on Mongkot Chepu around 4:50 PM, from prominent Tangkhul militant bunkers located at Pharmila's house (the red roof building near Litan Sareikhong Cemetry), Kholkai hilltop, Kholkai Waterfall, Sharkaphung @ Sikibung Tangkhul Village's ridge above Iron's fishery and the area opposite the Mongkot Chepu stone quarry.
The committee stated that the bunkers have repeatedly been used to launch attacks on Mongkot Chepu, putting both civilians and security forces at constant risk. Despite this, the committee alleged that the forces on the ground have not retaliated to stop these assaults till date.
Saluting the bravery of the jawan who took a bullet in the line of duty to protect innocent villagers of Mongkot Chepu, the committee stated that the injured jawan was assisted by the villagers at the scene by administering first-aids and CPR and are praying for his well-being.
Stating that the attacks on on Kuki villages cannot continue, the committee call on the government to take immediate and decisive action, ensure sustained security dominance in those active bunkers constructed by the Tangkhul militants, and authorize forces to respond firmly to any armed attack.
Further delay will cost more lives, property, and deepen the trauma of the people the release stated.
Meanwhile, Working Committee Tangkhul Naga Long stated that since the early afternoon of April 10, there has been an indiscriminate firing from Mongkot Chepu towards Sharkaphung, a Tangkhul Naga village under Kamjong District, Manipur.
“In this wake, a tragic news of a BSF jawan identified as Mithun Mandal, 170 Battalion, A Company, was reportedly hit while on duty in the precinct of Mongkot Chepu during the reckless firing executed by the Kuki SoO cadres, and later succumbed to his injuries in the evening” TNL stated.
While condemning the killing of a neutral central force and that the central force had been stationed to bring order and peace in the conflict zone, TNL express its deepest condolences to bereaved family and loved ones of the BSF jawan.
The TNL also denounces the false news spread by certain individuals of the Kuki community and their CSOs stating that without any proof or evidence, they had put the blame on the Tangkhul Nagas for such an act of cowardice.
TNL claimed that the Tangkhul Naga village volunteers, till date, has never targeted against the personnel of Central security forces. Ever since the outbreak of conflict in the Litan areas, TNL claimed that the Kuki SoO cadres and their armed villagers has always been on offensive and renewed aggression against the Tangkhul Naga villagers.
The Tangkhul Naga village volunteers has been maintaining restraint all this time and never resorted to any offences from our ends, the release stated.
“We only retaliate with enough caution to the unprovoked attacks from the Kuki armed cadres. The presence of Central Force reassured us with a sense of safety and security for the innocent Tangkhul Naga civilians. Our village volunteers are to protect the villages in the conflict zone from repeated attacks being committed by the Kuki armed groupsm” TNL stated.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
