Manipur: Kuki militants attack security forces, claim one life; State Govt urges MHA to urgently provide helicopters

Imphal: The situation in Moreh town, Manipur, remains volatile as fresh exchanges of fire erupted between security forces and armed miscreants on January 17. In a disturbing incident, armed miscreants attacked Indian Reserve Police Battalion (IRB) personnel near Ema Kondong Lairembi Devi Mandir, resulting in the tragic death of one CDO personnel and injuring another.

In the border town of Moreh, Manipur, an unsettling atmosphere prevails as a fresh wave of violence unfolded on January 17. Tensions escalated with armed miscreants launching a brazen attack on Indian Reserve Police Battalion (IRB) personnel near Ema Kondong Lairembi Devi Mandir, resulting in a tragic loss of life and injuries. This incident marks a distressing chapter in the ongoing security challenges faced by the region.

Reports indicate that at around 4 am on January 17, armed miscreants ambushed security forces near Ema Kondong Lairembi Devi Mandir using rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and live rounds from the hilltop of Chikim Village. The Assam Rifles, stationed just 20 metres from the Indo Reserve Battalion (IRB) post, promptly covered the post with their Bullet Proof Vehicles, retaliating against the assailants and safeguarding IRB personnel.

Over the past few months, Moreh has been marred by targeted assaults, particularly on security establishments, indicating a heightened level of vulnerability to security threats. The assailants, suspected to be Kuki militants based in Myanmar, have unleashed heavy attacks on security forces, leading to casualties and injuries. The situation has become increasingly dire, necessitating urgent and comprehensive measures to restore order and protect the lives of both civilians and security personnel.

In the aftermath of this recent unrest, which claimed the life of an IRB personnel, the State government has urgently sought air assets, specifically helicopters, from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the next 7 days. Commissioner Home T Ranjit Singh pointed to the critical need for immediate assistance, citing the continuous exchange of fire in Moreh and the potential for a deteriorating situation. The letter underscored the urgency for airlifting security personnel, ammunition, and addressing medical emergencies in the troubled region.

The requisition for air assets specified that the MHA Air Asset (Helicopter) should be placed at Imphal immediately, starting from January 17, 2024, for a duration of at least 7 days. This request comes in the wake of limited resources in the NorthEast region, as highlighted in the MHA’s previous communication.

In another development, two individuals, including an ex-Army personnel named Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, chief of K Moulsang village, have been remanded to police custody for nine days. The arrest was made by a combined team of Special Commando, IRB, and MR personnel on January 15 from ADC Moreh Complex. These suspects are believed to be involved in the killing of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chingtham Anandkumar in Moreh on October 31, 2023. Anandkumar was fatally shot by a sniper while overseeing the construction of a helipad at Eastern Shine School Ground.

The overall situation in Moreh, a town bordering Myanmar, has been tense for the past few months, marked by targeted attacks on security establishments by suspected Kuki militants. These militants, based in Myanmar, have launched several heavy attacks on security forces, resulting in casualties and injuries. The recent incidents underscore the ongoing security challenges in the region, demanding swift and comprehensive measures to restore order and protect the lives of both civilians and security personnel.