Manipur Violence: At least 3 people killed in shootout; Security forces destroy 24 bunkers of militants

Imphal: In a fresh round of shootout which occurred in the wee hours of July 7th near the Phougakchao Ikhai village in the Bishnupur-Churachandpur border, three people were killed. According to police, the firing commenced around 4:30 am and continued till 6.30 in the morning.

In the shootout, two people from the hillside and one from the valley side were killed, while few others were reportedly injured in the shootout that took place in Phougakchao Ikhai village.

Miscreants attack villagers of Khoijumantabi

Recently on July 2 armed miscreants attacked the Khoijumantabi village, thereby forcing 30 villagers to flee. According to police officials, the “village volunteers” who were guarding the area in a makeshift bunker were attacked by the armed rioters and three of the volunteers were killed.

Central and State Governments deploy forces to combat violence in Manipur

In order to restore peace in the Northeastern state which is reeling under violence for over two months, Manipur police and central security agencies have stepped up measures to destroy the sinister plans of the miscreants.

In order to check the movement of miscreants and unwanted elements, State and Central Forces installed 125 Nakas/ Checkpoints in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley areas. Police have detained 352 persons in connection with violation of security rules in different districts of the State.

Search operations intensified together by Central and State armed forces

The checking has been intensified at the nakas/checkpoints and is taking place round the clock in order to prevent unwanted incidents of violence from occurring. The security forces have stepped up operations in search of looted weapons in violence hit Manipur.

With an aim to restore peace and normalcy in the State, Manipur Police and Central forces, a combined team of Imphal East District Police, Assam Rifles and BSF conducted search operation at Purum Hill on July 5, 2023 and recovered 05 (five) arms, 05 (five) HE Hand Grenades and 71 (seventy-one) ammunitions and other incriminating items from Leitanpokpi foothills.

The search operations are still in progress and separate security agencies including Indian army and Assam Rifles are conducting regular operations to seize the arms and ammunition. Overall, 1,040 arms, 13,601 ammunition and 230 bombs of different kinds have been recovered till date by the security agencies.

Meanwhile, in a follow up action of the decision taken in the Joint Meeting of the Unified Command chaired by the Chief Minister of Manipur, Nongthombam Biren Singh on July 3, 2023, a joint team of Central Forces and State Police conducted search operations in vulnerable and fringe areas in both hill and valley districts on July 6, 2023. The security forces destroyed 24 (twenty-four) bunkers used by armed miscreants in Imphal East, Kangpokpi and Imphal West Districts.

Similar operations will be conducted in other places also. The bunkers were destroyed in Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Churachandpur districts. Four bunkers were destroyed in this joint operation with an aim to maintain law and order. Simi;lar measures were taken in other districts to dismantle such structures which have been built on the outskirts.

Manipur Government provides security to farmers

In wake of the ongoing violence in the state, on July 3rd, the Manipur government took the decision to provide security to the farmers at the paddy field.

In the first meeting of the unified command chaired by Nongthombam Biren Singh, it was decided to provide security to the farmers who will start the cropping season. The unified command took the decision to deploy security forces in the vulnerable areas. It was decided at the Unified Command meeting that additional 2000 Manipur police personnel will guard the farmers who will go to the paddy field in the cropping season.

It was on May 3 that violence erupted in Manipur during the solidarity march by Tribal Students Union against the listing of Meitei community in the ST list. More than 120 people lost their lives in the ongoing violence in Manipur and 45,000 people were displaced.