Shooting incidences reported in Imphal East
A spree of violent incidents broke out at Manipur’s Imphal East district as groups of armed men attacked villages Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi. The gun-toting miscreants targeted the areas from top hill ranges, leaving injuries to several people, that include a police officer, and a video journalist also.
Security forces have intensified search operations.
In response to the attacks, combined teams of the Manipur Police, Army, CRPF, and BSF launched extensive search operations in Yaingangpokpi and nearby hill areas. According to the authorities, the operations will continue until the region is cleared of armed miscreants and security is restored.
Resistance from local residents
During operations close to the Saibol village, tribal women challenged security forces to turn back, blocking the way of advance and calling for withdrawal. The security forces had to retreat from there, thus giving an understanding of the intricate nature of the conflict.
Arms and Ammunition Recovered
During another operation, in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district, a significant amount of arms and ammunition was discovered near Muallum village. Recovered items comprised of
One INSAS rifle with a magazine.
A 9 mm country-made pistol with a magazine.
A single-barrel rifle with a magazine.
The recovered weapons were handed over to the Singhat police station for further legal procedures.
Injuries and Casualties
Many were left injured during the violence. In that list are a video journalist, Kavichandra of Impact TV, who got a leg injury while covering the attack in Thamnapokpi. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Imphal.
Injuries and Casualties
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh strongly condemned the incidents, referring to the attacks as “cowardly and unprovoked attacks” from the side of Kuki militants against innocuous civilians, urging that there be effective coordination of state and central forces for tackling the unrest better.
Step-up Security Operation
The security forces have gone into high alert. The security forces are performing area domination operations in some of the vulnerable hill and valley districts. The Government asked residents to be cautious and alert and report suspicious activities.
These developments make it apparent that the state is sitting on a precarious security situation in Manipur. This will only improve once the authority begins working earnestly towards bringing peace and normalcy back into the region.