CM cancels Jiribam visit, search ops conducted
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 15 2024: Chief Minister N Biren, who had planned to visit the strife-torn Jiribam district to assess the situation personally, has cancelled his scheduled trip.

The Chief Minister's advanced security convoy, which had already departed Jiribam for Imphal on Saturday, reached here, as per officials.

The reason behind the cancellation of the CM's visit has not been disclosed nor known till the time of filing this report.

According to a report published in Northeast Now, originally scheduled for June 14, the visit aimed to allow the Chief Minister to personally evaluate the unrest in the border district.

The area has been tense since June 6, following the killing of a Meetei farmer by Kuki militants and subsequent arson attacks on several Meetei households.

News of the cancellation has sparked anxiety among displaced individuals currently housed in various relief camps, who fear prolonged displacement from their houses.

Displaced residents from Borobekra, currently residing in relief camps, have urged the government to ensure adequate security measures and facilitate their safe return to their villages.

To address the situation and facilitate the rehabilitation of approximately 1,000 displaced people, the government plans to deploy additional police commandos airlifted from Imphal to sensitive locations in Jiribam district.

These efforts will focus on areas such as Lamtai Khunou and neighbouring Meetei villages under Borobekra police station, situated approximately 32 km from Jiribam district headquarters.

In response to recent militant attacks on villages including Lamtai Khunou, Bhutangkhal, Harinagar, and Modhupur, displaced individuals have sought refuge in seven different relief camps established across Jiribam district.

Meanwhile, following a bomb blast targeting a house belonging to a Meetei family at Narayanpur under Jakuradhore Part 1 village in Jiribam district on June 13, house-to-house search operations and area domination were conducted to restore stability, as reported by the Manipur Police Control Room on Saturday.

In response to escalating tensions amidst ongoing communal violence, a joint team comprising Manipur police and central security forces launched extensive search operations.

Approximately 30-40 houses in Jakuradhor Part-II village under Borobekra police station were thoroughly searched, and the identities of about 140 individuals were verified.

The report confirmed that no further incidents occurred during the operation.

On Thursday night, two more houses belonging to Meetei families were set ablaze, and a temple was destroyed using explosives.

This follows earlier attacks that had already displaced Meetei residents and resulted in the burning of several houses.

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