IMPHAL, June 5: The June 4 ambush on a convoy of the 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district which left 18 personnel death and scores other injured has drawn much backlash from the public today.
Paraolon Village which lies in the vicinity of the ambush site has also condemned the ambush.
A statement jointly signed by the village chief James Dilbung, Baptist church pastor SK Bungtivi, Paraolen Women Fellowship chairperson LV Shangtlung and Youth president SK Betoi has said the village strongly condemned the ambush near the village.
It said the village has been experience a war since 1993.
`Till date the villagers have remembered the deadly attacks on the innocent villagers by militants,` it said adding that the village was under attack n April 15, 1993 by militants during the Naga-Kuki ethnic clash during which the village had lost many lives and all the houses were burnt down to ashes.
It is only a few years back that the villagers had returned to village, the statement said.
We condemn the ambush and further appeal to every UG group not to repeat such act in the future, it said.
The statement also requests the security forces not to harm any civilian of the village and the nearby areas in connection with the incident.
The UKLF has also issued a statement condemning the attack on 6 Dogra Regiment yesterday.
The statement said it is unfortunate that such incident occurred when the people of Chandel district is struggling for peace and normalcy.
`We shared the pain and grief of the departed souls and pray that Almighty God be with them all.`
The outfit has also appealed to all concerned not to repeat such `cowardly act`™ in Chandel district particularly in its operational area.
Our Kangpokpi Correspondent adds: Vehemently condemning the deadly attack on the Indian army by underground militants in Chandel district on June 4 killing 18 personnel of 6 Dogra Regiment and injuring many others, the Kuki Students`™ Organization Chandel has expressed grave discontentment on the disruption of peace in the area following the attack which has caused fear psychosis to innocent villagers of the area.
Doumang Haokip, president of KSO Chandel said that the violent attack on the 6 Dogra Regiment based at Moltuk, under Khengjoy Sub Division by a joint team of North East UGs along Tengnoupal `“ New Samtal road in Chandel District where a militant and 18 army personnel were killed is very unfortunate since it refreshes once again the plight and sufferings of the people due to the outcome of such violence.
He continued that Chandel, a Kuki district has become a battle field of the Indian Army and UG groups since the mid 2000s and the people of Chandel district especially Khengjoi areas had suffered enough the repercussions of insurgency and counter insurgency operations from both the UGs and the Indian army forces.
`It has only been just 4- 5 years that the people of Chandel along Tengnoupal `“ New Samtal road has come to feel some sort of normalcy in the area`, asserted the students`™ body president before adding that the plight and sufferings of hapless Kuki villagers during the mid 2000s are still fresh in the minds of Chandel people during which many innocent villagers were maimed, injured and permanently handicap and many killed by landmines.
Urging the NDA Government to pay sincere attention to the North East insurgency problem which for so long has hampered the development of the region, he appealed to all the UG groups to refrain from any sort of violence in the Chandel district in particular and civilian areas in general to sustain peace and tranquility in future.
He on the behalf of the KSO Chandel also expressed deepest condolences to the departed Indian Armies and shares the pain and sorrow of the bereaved families.