Police patrol Barak river, remove barbwire fence of UTLA chief
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 12 2024: In view of the present restive law and order situation in Jiribam district, boat patrolling along the Assam-Manipur border on the water of Barak River has been intensified while Jiribam district police removed the barbwire barricade reportedly put up by Assam Rifles.

Tension and ethnic violence flared up in Jiribam district following the murder of a farmer by Kuki militants on June 6 afternoon and subsequent torching of more than 70 houses belonging to the Meetei community.

Several hundreds of Meetei people who fled from their villages are currently taking shelter in relief camps in different parts of Jiribam.

Amidst the tense situation, rumours are being spread fast and wide through social media about movement of Kuki militants towards Jiribam through Barak River, which separates Manipur and Assam.

In view of the prevailing situation, boat patrolling on the Barak River has intensified from the side of Assam police who are also checking boats operating on the river to prevent any kind of disturbance to peace and tranquillity in Jiribam.

Cachar police also intensified regular patrolling along the Assam-Manipur border and started maintaining vigil on the movement of anti-social elements and suspicious people.

Boat patrolling on Barak River intensified following a joint meeting of Jiribam SP, Assam IGP (law & order) and officials of CRPF and Assam Rifles held on Tuesday.

Jiribam district police has sent proposal to the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) for immediate repairing of two boats provided by LDA to the district police.

As part of security measures taken up by Jiribam district police, the barbwire erected by the troopers of Assam Rifles between Chandrapur and Ranipur areas have been removed on Wednesday.

The district police also started holding talks with leaders of local clubs and Meira Paibi groups as well as officials of CRPF and AR to facilitate return of normalcy in Jiribam district.

Our Jiri correspondent reported that erection of barbwire by Assam Rifles to shield Kuki houses in Jiribam caused a commotion on Wednesday as the barricade obstructed movement of Meetei and Meitei Pangal families living close to Kuki houses particularly the house of leader of a Kuki militant group.

The commotion erupted at Chandrapur Ward No 7 under Jiribam Municipal area, wherein large number of womenfolk gathered and demanded immediate removal of the barbwire erected by the Assam Rifles.

The angry womenfolk also demanded removal of UTLA commander-in-chief SK Thadou from the area (Rani Veng) .

However, 39 AR CO Akash, Jiribam SP Pradip Singh and other government officials held talk with the women and jointly inspected the barbwire and removed the same for free movement of locals.

The 39 AR CO also assured the agitated womenfolk that SK Thadou is not at his house though his vehicle is parked inside the residential complex.

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