The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Defence Wing on Sunday clarified that the operation that took place at Chalwa village late Friday was to apprehend the secretary of Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA).
The statement was issued a day after the allegations of a villager being killed by post commander of 44 Assam Rifles at Chalwa village on late Friday night in kangpokpi district.
The official statement of the Defence Wing stated that based on specific intelligence, security forces launched an operation on Friday night to nab the secretary of KRA along with three-four cadres in Kangpokpi District, Manipur.
Security forces approached to make an inquiry when KRA cadres and their accomplices manhandled one of the Assam Rifles personnel and attempted to fire on the troops, it stated. Sensing the imminent danger and threat to life, the party reacted by using minimum force, it added.
While the operation was in progress, a huge mob of locals surrounded the Assam Rifles post and resorted to unprovoked violence and arson, the release stated.
The mob torched two Assam Rifles vehicles and caused damage to the Assam Rifles post at Gelnel Village, it mentioned. They also disrupted the main road connectivity for more than 24 hours causing a lot of inconvenience to local commuters, it added.
It stated that the security forces exercised total restraint to control the unruly mob with special consideration towards safety of human life and collateral damage.
The Indian Army has ordered an inquiry into the matter, it further stated adding, Assam Rifles remains committed to maintaining peace and normalcy in the region.