The Police Control Room, Manipur Police stated that four persons killed in retaliation after the killing of a senior citizen in Jiribam on Saturday were identified, of which three turned out to be Kuki militants who had traveled from Churachandpur district.
The three deceased cadres of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) are Seiminlen Khongsai, son of Thangtinngam Khongsai of Sijang Village, Churachandpur district; Haogoulen Doungel, 31, son of Holmang Doungel of Yangnomphai village, Churachandpur district and Nehboithang Haokip, 26, son of Ongjam Haokip of Maojang village, Samulamlan, Churachandpur district, stated a release.
Lastly, Lhunkhohao Haokip, 31, son of Hemtinthang Haokip of Mongbung Sejang, Jairolpokpi, Jiribam is a village volunteer who had initiated the attack, it said.
It appeared that the three traversed a long distance to Jiribam to execute these subversive activities, it mentioned.
On Friday, suspected Kuki militants attacked Nungchappi village under Jiribam district resulting in the death of one senior citizen identified as Yurembam Kulendra Singha, 63, son of (L) Y Ramohon Singha of Rangar Part-1, Cachar, Assam, who was residing at Ningthem Khunou (Nungchappi), Jiribam, it stated.
Further, ensuing the incident, there was exchange of heavy firing between different groups at the Tea Estate of Rashidpur Part-II, Jiribam, Police teams had rushed toward the site to control the firing but were fired upon, it mentioned. The Police teams, however, retaliated the fire and could eventually control the situation, it stated.
A total of five bodies were found at the firing incident site at Tea Estate of Rashidpur Part-II, it stated.
The 5th body identified as Baspatimayum Lakhi Kumar Sharma, 41 was a member of UNLF (P), a resident of Dibong Khunou, Jiribam District, it mentioned.
Further, two MA-1 Magazines, one MA-1 Rifle, twenty-four 7.62 (SLR) empty cases, eight 7.62 (AK) empty cases, seven 5.56 (insas) empty cases, one 30-06 empty case, one .303 empty case, five 5.56 live rounds, one 12 bore ammunition (empty case), one insas magazine (broken), one raincoat, one t-shirt (camouflage) three magazine post were seized from the area of the firing incident, it said.
It mentioned that search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.
Movement of 179 vehicles along NH-2 with respectively essential items has been ensured. Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles, it stated.
It further said that a total of 98 Nakas/ Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and Police detained 164 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the state.
It appealed to the general public not to believe in rumours and be aware of false videos. Any circulations of unfounded videos etc. may be confirmed from the rumour free number 9233522822 of Central Control room. It further appealed to the public to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or nearest security forces immediately. During the last 24 hours, the situation in the State was tense but under control, it added.
