From categorical 'Myanmar militants not involved' on Jan 9 : Kuldiep strikes 'might be involved' stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2024: In a dramatic U turn, Security Advisor to Manipur Government Kuldiep Singh has stated that heavily armed militants from Myanmar might have been involved in attacking State forces at Moreh yesterday which led to the killing of two IRB personnel and injuring few others.

As recent as January 9, the Security Advisor and Chairman of the Unified Command had stated that 'there is no evidence showing involvement of militants from Myanmar,' while referring to the series of attacks on State security personnel at Moreh.

This statement had come just days after Chief Minister N Biren on January 2 had claimed that 'militants from Myanmar might be involved in the series of attacks on State forces at Moreh' .

From categorical 'Myanmar militants not involved' on Jan 9 : Kuldiep strikes 'might be involved' stand

Addressing a press briefing at the Chief Minister's Secretariat this evening, Kuldiep Singh said that he suspects the involvement of a rebel group of Myanmar, PDF, in attacking Manipur police commandos at Moreh yesterday but cannot say it with 100 per cent certainty.

Saying that the attack on the State force was carried out from three directions using sophisticated weapons and explosives, the Security Advisor maintained that yesterday's attack was carried out from a close range unlike in the past.

Kuldiep Singh said that Assam Rifles and BSF supplied munition to the State forces to counter the attack of Kuki militants.

Saying that two companies of BSF and another two columns of Indian Army have been sent to Moreh on the surface route, Kuldiep said that one helicopter has also been sent to Manipur by the Union Home Ministry yesterday itself.

He continued that they have sought approval from the Home Ministry to deploy another helicopter with more carrying capacity in the State.

Further stating that a team of Manipur police led by IG K Kabib has taken a large consignment of ammunition and supplies for the State force to Moreh in a helicopter this morning, Kuldiep Singh maintained that K Kabib Singh will supervise the combined security forces at Moreh.

Security forces have started carrying out area domination, frisking and combing operations at the foothills of Moreh, he added.

The Security Advisor also said that security forces have been advised to stay alert following the fresh attacks of Kuki militants at Khangabok, Kadangband, Sagolmang and Ningthoukhong.

To a query, Kuldiep Singh said that armed miscreants from Myanmar might have a hand in attacking State forces at Moreh as per intelligence report but there is no evidence.

To another query, the Security Advisor responded that there was a lack of coordination between the Central and State forces on some occasions in the past but the same is not the case anymore.

During the briefing, some media persons pointed out that there is a video footage of Kuki militants openly firing in front of Assam Rifles and Army and in another clip Kuki militants were seen engaging in a firefight with a Casspir vehicle parked nearby.

Replying to the query, Kuldiep Singh said that they won't remain silent and take up necessary action if there is adequate evidence of Kuki militants being hostile in front of Central forces.

Maintaining that about 175 columns of Indian Army and 200 companies of Central Armed Police Force are deployed in Manipur, the Security Advisor said that there, however, is no update on the latest number of people who died in the conflict.