Imphal, Manipur, March 1 (HBTV):  A day after the Manipur governor extended the deadline for the surrender of illegal arms and ammunition by one more week, suspected Kuki militants opened fire on a group of Meitei worshippers at Kongba Maru Laiphamlen on Friday. Laiphamlen, a sacred site for the Meitei community, is located 22 km north of Imphal but falls under Kangpokpi district.

This marks the first firing incident reported in nearly two months, though fortunately no one was harmed in the incident.

Rajen Angujam, finance secretary of Kongba Maru Semgatlup, who was also present during the ritual, explained that it was the first day of the lunar eclipse, an important occasion for the Meitei people to honor their ancestors. Due to the ongoing conflict, they were unable to observe it earlier.   

As they began the ritual, alleged Kuki militants, positioned on the hills, fired seven or eight rounds at them. Angujam added that they had visited the site with the permission of the relevant authorities and along with state forces. He also claimed that central security forces were seen sitting alongside the militants.

He called on the state governor to enforce the same laws in the hills.

In response to the firing, local women blocked the Yumnam Khunou Road in protest and tried to storm an Assam Rifles post at Sagolmang village.

Meanwhile, the Manipur police said in an official statement that “In connection with the firing incident reported in Wakan area aimed at disrupting the prayer rituals at Kongba Maru temple today, security forces deployed in the area and its vicinity were alerted immediately and combing operations/ area sanitisation/ area domination were conducted in Wakan Ridge and Mark Hills Ridge area.”

‘⁠Kuki Inpi- Saikul and village chiefs of Kuki villages in and around Wakan area were summoned. They were sternly warned to stay away from causing disturbances in the area and severe action will be taken if such incidents repeat again.’

‘Further, security forces in the area have been briefed to stay alert to mitigate untowardly situation and to retaliate effectively in case of violation,’ the updates added.