'Myanmar Kuki militants operate in Manipur'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2024: After confessing their involvement in the killing of Moreh SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar, Moreh Defence Force (MDF) leader Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and his associate Hemkholal Mate have revealed that Kuki militants from Myanmar have been operating in Moreh area inside Manipur together with Kuki militant groups of the State.

Manipur Police have arrested nine persons in connection with the assassination of SDPO Anandkumar on October 31 last year.

Out of them, seven including one Myanmar National are presently lodged in judicial custody while two other main accused have been remanded to police custody for further investigation of the case.

On October 31 at around 9.40 am, Kuki militants attacked a combined team of Tengnoupal District Police, Special Commando and 5th IRB at the playground of Eastern Shine School located at Moreh Turel Wangma, Ward No.7 while the Police personnel were cleaning the playground.

'Myanmar Kuki militants operate in Manipur'

SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar Singh was hit by a bullet on his stomach.

He was rushed to PHC, Moreh immediately but succumbed to his injuries.

On November 1 morning, a search operation was conducted at various places in Moreh.

In the course of the search operation, one firearm with silencer was found inside a deserted house, opposite to Eastern Sunshine Playground located at Canan Veng.

Moreh Ward No 7 and police seized the firearm.

Further, on November 4, 2023 morning, search operations were conducted at Yangoupokpi village, Zion Veng, Moreh and Munnom Village of Moreh.

During the search operation, Letngam Lupho (55) s/o Jangkhothang Lupho of Yangoupokpi village was arrested along with arms and ammunition from his possession around noon.

On the same day, another accused Jamkhohao Lupho (47) s/o Lhunkhopao Lupho of Yangoupokpi village, was arrested along with some explosive materials from his possession at around 2 pm .

Further five more accused including one Myanmar National were also arrested on the same day in connection with the case.

They were identified as George Holkhosat Khongsai (24) s/o Jacob Ngamjathang Khongsai of Munnom Veng, Letgoulen Doungel (25) s/o Lethang Doungel of Zion Veng near Moreh Sub Divisional Hospital, Jangkhohao Haokip (34) s/o (Late) Jamkithang Haokip of Zion Veng, Jangkhomang Baite (21) s/o Holkhozam Baite of Munnom Veng and Ma Mong Shu (26) yrs s/o (Late) Mong Thong of Namphalong, Myanmar.

Investigation further revealed that the arrested persons are active members of the UKLF (United Kuki Liberation Front) and Moreh Defence Force (MDF) who are trained and set up by the UKLF.

They were also involved in burning down/destroying houses and looting valuables and other properties from Meitei houses of Moreh, sources said.

MDF is led by Philip Khaikholal Khongsai.

On November 18 last year, all of seven of them were remanded to judicial custody by the Court concerned.

On further investigation, involvement of Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and his associate Hemkholal Mate who is also a leader of the village volunteer force, heavily armed Kuki militants operating in the border town and Kuki militants group from Myanmar in the killing of SDPO Anandkumar and attacks on security forces was revealed.

They are also involved in attacking security personnel (both State and Central forces deployed at Moreh) on July 26, 2023 and also in burning down/destroying houses and looting valuables and properties from Meitei houses of Moreh.

Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate were arrested on January 15 from near Moreh College by a combined team of Moreh Police and Special commando along with arms, ammunition and explosive items from their possession.

On January 29, Moreh Police took formal arrest of the two and took them into 12 days police custody till February 9 .