Imphal: The tribal bodies of Manipur condemned the brutal killing of Assam Rifles CO, his innocent family and 4 jawans in an ambush in Churachandpur district of the state.
The Zomi Council HQ and its constituent of nine tribes on Saturday evening condemned the brutal attack on the Assam Rifles convoy, which led to the killing of five soldiers, including Col Viplav Tripathi, commanding officer of 46 Battalion Assam Rifles. The CO's wife and their six-year-old son were also killed in the cowardly attack..
A statement issued by the Zomi Chiefs Association (ZCA) said the Churachandpur district witnessed relative peace, security and development after a long spell of nightmarish militancy due to the relentless efforts of the government and security forces.
“This cold-blooded incident jeopardised and put at peril the life and security of innocent peace-loving Zomi villagers residing in the area. It shocked the general public who eagerly awaited a final solution of the political negotiations between the government and SoO groups,” the ZCA statement said.
The Zomi council is an apex body of the Zomi tribes, which include Gante, Kom, Mate, Paite, Simte, Tedim Chin, Thangkhal, Zou and Vaiphei. The Zomi identified themselves as descendants of the Zo, the Tibeto-Burman people belonging to the Chin-Kuki language group. They are scattered in Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Assam. There are over 2 lakhs Zomi population in Churachandpur district alone. Separatist terrorist outfit PLA Manipur is behind the attack on an Assam Rifles convoy on Saturday in Churachandpur district.
On Saturday evening, terrorist group PLA claimed responsibility for the attack that killed Commanding Officer of 46 Battalion of Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife Anuja, their 6-year-old son Abeer, and four jawans.
Colonel Tripathi’s convoy was ambushed by suspected PLA terrorists near the Sehkan village in Churachandpur district while returning from the Behiang Coy post at about 10 am on Saturday. IEDs were used by the terrorists before the Assam Rifles personnel engaged them in a firefight.
It should be mentioned that PLA Manipur is a separatist terrorist group operating mainly in the Indo-Myanmar border areas. The terrorist group is involved in extortion, kidnapping, killings and other anti-national activities. PLA has its base in Myanmar and reports says that the terrorist group runs its activities with direct and indirect support of the Chinese intelligence agency.
