Imphal: Kuki terrorists’ attack in Jiribam on Monday had killed two internally displaced Meitei people while six individuals including three minors belonging to Meitei community went missing after security forces rescued five others.
The two victims were identified as Maibam Kesho, 75, and Laishram Barel, 61, both from Modhupur. They were found burnt in the area where houses were set ablaze by terrorists.
On Monday between 2:30 and 3:00 pm, militants launched a coordinated assault at the police station and CRPF post using heavy weaponry, including RPGs and automatic firearms. The attack caused significant damage to nearby houses, with several set ablazed, Dr. I.K. Muivah, inspector general of police (Operations), Manipur, said in a press briefing held at the Manipur Police Headquarters, here on Tuesday.
He said security forces successfully repelled an attack by militants at Borobekra police station, and the adjacent CRPF post in Jakuradhor, Jiribam district. The police station also houses an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.
He further stated that Civil Police and CRPF personnel responded swiftly, engaging in an intense exchange of fire with the militants, lasting around 40-45 minutes. The area was eventually secured, he added. During subsequent search operations, he said, security forces recovered the bodies of those militants killed in the encounter.
Various cache of weapons and ammunition, including three AK rifles, four SLRs, two INSAS rifles, one RPG, one pump-action gun, bulletproof helmets, and magazines were also reportedly seized.
The weapons recovered from the armed miscreants used during the heavy exchange of gunfire in Jiribam could not be attributed to village volunteers. An investigation is underway to identify the militant groups involved, said IGP (Administration) K. Jayanta Singh.
How can the terrorists who attack civilians be called as village volunteers? Kuki militants have been attacking Meitei villages while Meitei village defense volunteers have been struggling to protect themselves. This remains a question of concern in the minds of the people.
Muivah informed that one CRPF constable sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. Reinforcements from the Assam Rifles, CRPF, and Civil Police have been deployed to the area and security operations have been intensified around Jakuradhor area under the jurisdiction of Borobekra police station, he added.
In the search operations bodies of the two IDP civilians, both residents of Modhupur, who had fallen victim to the attack were recovered.
Six IDP civilians, including three women and children each, remain missing, with rescue operations underway to ensure their safety, Muivah said.
‘Two separate criminal cases have been registered for investigation’.
Muivah said, “The security forces and Manipur police are working under the guidance of the Government of India. We are operating with restraint and fairness, especially in this critical situation.”
This was said in response to a warning from the Kuki Students’ Organisation, which stated that state forces should not operate in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas or leave their camps.
The press briefing was attended by K. Karbib, IGP Intelligence.
Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh, his cabinet ministers and MLAs have not uttered a word in continuous terror attacks by Kuki terrorists over the past five days.
On Monday night, Kuki terrorists attacked multiple locations using sophisticated weapons, including bombs, improvised rockets, and devices suspected to have been launched from drones. At least three exploded improvised rockets were recovered in Kadangband, Phayeng, and Kangchup in Imphal West district. Heavy gunfire also erupted in Thamnapokpi and Channung in Imphal East district.
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