Sinakeithei, Manipur | EKHON: In a chilling reflection of the deepening humanitarian crisis, a mother and her young son were rescued by Indian Army personnel after being trapped for nearly three hours under intense Kuki militant firing in a cabbage field in Ukhrul district’s Sinakeithei in Manipur on Saturday evening.
The harrowing incident unfolded around 3:00 PM when suspected Kuki militants opened fire, pinning the duo to the ground as they desperately sought cover in a shallow depression in the field. The two had ventured out earlier in the afternoon to gather vegetables after their household food supplies had been completely exhausted.
According to local sources, the pair had informed local volunteers of their urgent need for food. Unaware of the imminent danger and given the proximity of the farm to their home, they were allowed to go. Moments later, heavy gunfire erupted, with bullets reportedly directed toward their location, leaving them stranded and helpless.
“They could not move. The firing was intense and continuous. They survived by lying flat against the ground,” a local resident recounted.
After enduring nearly three hours of terror, troops from the 4 Mahar Regiment, stationed nearby, successfully carried out a rescue operation at around 5:50 PM, bringing the mother and son to safety.
The incident highlights the worsening situation in Sinakeithei, where residents say sustained violence since March 7 has pushed the village to the brink of a humanitarian collapse. Food shortages have become severe, with local stores nearly empty and household vegetable sources rapidly depleting.
“We are surviving with a basic food supply,” a villager told EKHON. “Some aid has come from neighboring villages and private groups, but it is not enough.”
Beyond the shortage of essentials, fear and psychological distress are gripping the community. Women and children, in particular, are reportedly living in constant fear amid ongoing gunfire.
“People are losing hope. The firing is going on, and bullets are hitting our homes. We don’t feel safe anymore,” a resident said.
Connectivity has also emerged as a critical concern. The only route to Ukhrul headquarters passes through Sirarakhong, where the presence of a Kuki village has made movement risky and unpredictable. Villagers say even accessing medical help or supplies has become a life-threatening task.
Despite submitting memorandums to authorities outlining their grievances, locals claim they have received no response. “We have appealed again and again, but there has been no action. We feel abandoned,” a community member stated.
Residents are pleading with authorities, CSOs, and leaders to step in, to intervene and ensure safe access to food and essential supplies, and also restore a sense of security in the region.
And even as we speak over the phone, firing can be heard in the background. While the rescue of the mother and son comes as a relief, the locals’ plea warns of the worsening security and humanitarian crisis in Sinakeithei.
