Will uproot armed terrorists, asserts CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, May 28 2023: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that the State police has been given additional power to fight the Kuki terrorists who have been challenging the integrity of Manipur by killing people and burning down houses.

Saying that the Government condemns the attacks on unarmed civilians, specially in the peripheral areas of valley districts in the strongest term, Biren vowed that no efforts would be spared to uproot the Kuki terrorists from the soil of Manipur.

Briefing media persons at the Darbar Hall, Chief Minister's Secretariat, the Chief Minister said the Government is also deeply saddened by the casualties on both sides and assured all possible steps in bringing back normalcy.

Will uproot armed terrorists, asserts CM

He said the spurt in violent attacks on civilian houses in the peripheral areas of the valley in the past one or two days which seemed well-planned and simultaneous to show their capacity is strongly condemnable, specially when Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai is in the State and peace missions are being formed as part of efforts to bring back peace in the State.

It seemed the Kuki terrorists are determined to show their capability and create unrest on the eve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit, Biren remarked.

Stating that those trying to break the State and disrupt peaceful coexistence in the State are enemies of all the 34 communities residing together in the State, N Biren said that the Government will continue to face every such challenge.

Stating that this is clearly a challenge to the State and its integrity, he also appealed to all 34 communities residing together in the State to have faith and trust in the Government.

He said the Government will not allow disintegration of Manipur but will protect the State's integrity and uproot these armed terrorists from the State.

Biren also reassured that the Government will face every challenge against the territorial integrity of the State, attacks on life and property of the people.

He further assured the public that the State force is well trained and well equipped.

The Chief Minister further appealed to all the people to entrust the task of fighting the Kuki terrorists.

He said the fight is between armed terrorists trying to disintegrate Manipur and the State Government, assisted by the Centre.

Biren, who was accompanied by his Cabinet Ministers during the press briefing, also appealed to the civilian population of all communities against coming out on the roads and joining the agitation.

He appealed to all the people to immediately stop disrupting or impeding movement of commandos and security forces.

Appealing to the people to support and pray for the commandos, security forces and to encourage them, the Chief Minister also said that the State force is directly under the State Home Department and that there is no restriction on them from anyone.

They are being dealt directly by the Home Department's Advisor to the Chief Minister, he said.

He continued that following the identification of 38 vulnerable areas, other vulnerable areas have also been identified and that the State police has been conducting operations.

With the Kuki terrorists now using sophisticated weapons like AK-47, M-16, sniper rifles and other heavy weapons, the army and the paramilitary forces have started using two-inch mortars and other heavy weapons.

The Chief Minister informed that five Kuki terrorists in combat fatigue were killed in gun battles with security forces at Leitanpokpi yesterday and 6/7 other Kuki terrorists at Yaingangpokpi.

So far, there are reports of security forces killing around 40 Kuki terrorists in retaliatory action as they attacked unarmed civilians at different places including Sugnu and Torbung Bangla, Biren said.

On being enquired if the bodies of the 40 slain Kuki terrorists have been recovered, the Chief Minister said that some of them have been recovered while the others were taken away by the fellow Kuki terrorists.

There are also reports of the arrest of many armed Kuki terrorists by the Jat Regiment, he said.

The Chief Minister said that even helicopters would be pressed into service at vulnerable areas.

Chief of Army Staff Manoj Pande is also currently at Imphal.

N Biren said that in retaliatory and defensive operations against these terrorist groups who are using sophisticated arms against the civilian population, around 30 of these terrorists have been killed in different areas.

He added that a few of them have also been arrested by the security forces.

He further appealed to all 34 communities in the State to face these challenges unitedly and to have faith and trust in the Government.

On being enquired about the 10 Kuki MLAs who have been challenging the integrity of Manipur, Biren said that necessary political action would be taken up against them.

But the Government's priority at the moment is fighting the Kuki terrorists who have been killing people and burning houses, he added.

The press briefing was also attended by Cabinet Ministers Thongam Biswajit, Yumnam Khemchand, Govindas Konthoujam , Awangbow Newmai, Dr Sapam Ranjan, Leishangthem Susindro, Thounaojam Basantakumar and Khashim Vashum.