‘Security forces using villagers as shield’
IMPHAL, Aug 13 (Agencies): The fierce gunfight between the MPA cadres of the UNLF and the combined troops of central security forces which broke out at Khengjoi village in the interior area of Chandel district on August 10 afternoon is reportedly continuing till yesterday.
Reports said another fierce encounter between the MPA cadres and security forces occurred this morning at Khengjoi village which lasted for over one hour. Exact figures of casualties on either side could not be known immediately but the UNLF has confirmed that three of its cadres lost their lives in yesterday’s gunfight at Kamdo and Maokot area. In the meantime, the UNLF has alleged that innocent Kuki villagers including women were used as ‘human shields’ by the security forces while the latter were moving towards MPA camps.
In a statement, UNLF’s senior publicity secretary Ksh Yoiheiba said their MPA cadres were put into a difficult situation as the approaching security forces used civilians as ‘human shields’. Such tactics by the security forces compelled MPA cadres to hesitate in firing towards the approaching security forces, it said. With utmost care to avoid civilian casualties, the MPA cadres engaged in the gunfight in a trying situation in which three valuable revolutionaries sacrificed their lives, the UNLF statement said. The UNLF also disclosed the names of the deceased MPA cadres who were identified as Mayangmayum Habibur alias Altaf Khan, son of Ajijur of Moreh having MPA No. 1969, Sarangthem Lokesh alias Manisanahal, son of Mani of Irom Meijrao having MPA No. 2022 and Hemam Moirangngakpa alias Ton alias Oken, son of Dhiren of Moirang Lamkhai having MPA No. 1851.
Regarding today’s gunfight, the UNLF statement clarified that there were no casualties on their side. Meanwhile, the AR authorities have strongly refuted the allegation made in the news items published in the local dailies on August 12 regarding the use of human shields by the Assam Rifles in the gunfight with the UNLF, saying the report was baseless and a figment of imagination to tarnish the image of the Assam Rifles.