Kom Union leader attacked by suspected Kuki armed militants

Imphal: The minority Kom community, which has remained neutral since the communal conflict erupted in Manipur on May 3, has accused Kom Union Manipur (KUM) president Serto Ahao Kom of being killed by suspected Kuki militants. Threat to life has been condemned.

A case has been registered in the police in this regard.
Kom is one of the smaller ethnic tribes of the state. Internationally renowned female boxer Mary Kom belongs to this community.

Kom Union Manipur advisor Boyes Kom while talking to the media at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal on Wednesday said that Sarto Per Kuki Independent Army (KIA) workers visited their ailing father in Khoirentak Khunou village of Churachandpur district. Attacked while going for a visit on Tuesday.
KUM President Serto Ahao Kom was beaten black and blue by Kuki militants for his association with Meiteis in the ongoing communal violence between Kukis and Meiteis that started on May 3.
According to the medical report, Serto Aha Kom suffered a fracture in his left hand.

Speaking to reporters at RIMS Hospital, the KUM president said he was stopped by about 30 armed Kuki militants near Chingphei village when he was on his way to his Khoirentak residence in Churachandpur from Langol Tarung at around 8:30 pm on Tuesday.
After beating him severely and asking him several questions, a few armed men took the KUM president to a nomad on the edge of Chingphei Koki village.
The ugly incident took place at a time when KUM is trying to restore peace in the state without siding with any of the warring communities.

KUM is in touch with civil institutions of all communities in the state to facilitate restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.
During the press briefing, General Secretary Kim Sarto of Kom Union Manipur Women’s Wing and Union Advisor T Achung were present.