Ukhrul: In yet another disturbing incident amid the ongoing tension in Ukhrul district, a mother and her son from Sinakeithei village were caught in indiscriminate firing allegedly by suspected Kuki armed militants on Saturday.
According to sources, the incident took place at around 3:14 pm when they had gone to their farm near the Ihang River, towards Lungter Kaphung, to collect cabbages. During this time, suspected Kuki armed militants reportedly opened fire from the Lungter hill range, where they are alleged to have constructed a bunker.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the mother and son can be seen crouching low and taking cover on the ground in a desperate attempt to shield themselves from the bullets amid the indiscriminate firing.
After remaining trapped for over three hours in a life-threatening situation, the duo was safely rescued by troops of the Mahar Regiment.
Sinakeithei, a Tangkhul Naga village, has been under repeated indiscriminate firing since the onset of the ongoing tensions in Ukhrul district, raising serious concerns over the safety of residents.
On Thursday night, the village reportedly came under a severe attack when suspected Kuki militants allegedly fired five illuminating mortar shells into the residential area, triggering panic and fear among villagers.
According to the Sinakeithei Village Authority (VA), the confrontation began at around 3 pm on Thursday and continued without interruption late into the night. The firing reportedly persisted until around 3:30 am on Friday.
Sources further informed that another round of firing was reported on Saturday, indicating a continuing volatile situation in and around the village.
Sources further stated that while en route to Sinakeithei to safely evacuate the stranded civilians, troops of the Mahar Regiment were reportedly blocked by Kuki womenfolk at Leplen village, causing a delay in the rescue operation. The evacuation process was further hampered due to continued firing from the Lungter hill range.
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