Prime suspect in killing of Moreh SDPO held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 15 2024: In a major breakthrough in the killing of SDPO Moreh, Chingtham Anandkumar on October 31, 2023, State security forces have arrested the prime suspect along with another from ADC Moreh office complex this evening.

Soon after the arrest, a large mob staged a protest demonstration at Moreh town demanding unconditional release of the terror attack's prime suspect.

Acting on specific information about the presence of the prime suspect who shot dead SDPO Moreh Chingtham Anandkumar with a sniper rifle on October 31 last year while the police officer was inspecting construction of a helipad at Eastern Shine School ground, Moreh, a combined team of Special Commando, IRB and MR personnel cordoned off the area and launched a massive search operation near the ADC Moreh office complex.

Prime suspect in killing of Moreh SDPO held

In the course of the search operation, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai who allegedly shot dead SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar was arrested along with another militant identified as Hemkholal Mate, chief of K Moulshang village and in charge of finance of Mate Tribe Union.

Incidentally, Philip Khailal Khongsai is also serving as the president of Moreh Youth Club.

He is an ex-Indian Army (14th Assam Regiment) personnel.

He is also an executive member of Kuki Inpi, Tengnoupal.

As news of the duo's arrest spread, a large unruly mob gathered at Moreh town and tried to storm Moreh police station and the commando complex targeting security personnel and demanding unconditional release of the arrested persons.

Soon after, a large number of Central armed police personnel, RAF and paramilitary personnel also arrived at Moreh town as the situation grew highly volatile.

In order to bring the situation under control, security personnel were forced to fire tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the unruly mob.

Security forces were firing tear gas shells till the time of filing this report.

SP Tengnoupal, SP Special Commando Khabesoi and SSP Combat are also present at Moreh town.

Given the tense situation, heavy security measures have been taken and all security personnel have been put on high alert at the border town.

On October 31 morning, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anandkumar was shot dead by Kuki terrorists when a team of Moreh Police and commando personnel were inspecting construction of a helipad at Eastern Shine School ground, Moreh.

The Kuki terrorists shot the SDPO with a sniper rifle at around 9.30 am from the direction of Chavangphai and Canan Veng.

The bullet hit SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar on the abdomen and exited through the back and was evacuated to Primary Health Centre, Moreh but he succumbed to the injury at around 10 am on the same day.

Meanwhile, people displaced from Moreh and currently taking shelter at different relief camps came out of their camps at different places this evening, particularly Wangjing and Akampat and shouted in unison against any attempt to release the two Kuki terrorists arrested for killing SDPO Ch Anandkumar.