Indo-Myanmar border sealed after gun-fight
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 04, 2012:
Following a gun-fight between Assam Rifles and unidentified militants at Moreh town, the international boundary between India and Myanmar on Moreh side has been sealed, thereby affecting commercial activities in the border town.
According to a press release issued by the PRO of Hqs IG AR (S), troops of 24 AR and 31 AR, discovering movement of armed militants, launched a joint operation at a house close to the international boundary on Indian side.
The house was cordoned off but when the search party entered the house they were fired by three individuals who fled towards the international boundary at about 10.45 am.
The AR troops returned controlled fire in self defence keeping in mind presence of large number of civilians on Indian and Myanmar sides of the border.
In the meantime, one individual was apprehended from the house with one 9 mm pistol and nine rounds of 9 mm.
On interrogation, the individual disclosed that he was an active worker of CorCom besides being an active weapons and drug dealer.
On the other hand, information received at Imphal said that AR troops opened fire in the air in their efforts to nab some individuals at about 10.50 am today.
A jeep parked on the Myanmar side was damaged because of the firing.
Following the incident, the international border was sealed on account of which Moreh town was deserted shortly afterward.
Based on intelligence inputs that militants were planning to trigger bomb blasts in Premnagar area of the border town, the AR troops launched a search operation.
In the course of the operation, suspected UG cadres numbering three opened fire at the AR troops resulting in a gun fight.
The AR troops nabbed one Hidam Shyamo (37) of Moreh Ward No 4. Contending that Shyamo is innocent, the local womenfolk raised an uproar protesting arrest of Shyamo.
The AR troops responded by assaulting Shyamo's mother Manitombi (58) and his younger sister Alubi.
Another woman P Takiyang (75) was also allegedly kicked in the face by the AR troops.