Arrested duo confesses killing SDPO Anand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 01 2024: Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, who were arrested by police in connection with the assassination of Moreh SDPO, Chingtham Anand Kumar, have confessed of their involvement in the killing of the police officer, according to Manipur Police.

In a clarification issued in its official X account on Thursday against a report published in Scroll.in, police said that amid semblance of normalcy settling in Moreh, MPS officer, Chingtham Anand Kumar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Moreh was shot dead on October 31 last year by armed Kuki militants while he was on duty overseeing the cleaning of the ground of Eastern Shine School for construction of helipad, jointly by state force and BSF.

Following the death of the SDPO, the security forces launched joint search operations in Moreh town and adjoining areas to nab the culprits responsible for the crime.

On January 15, two persons namely, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate were arrested for possession of arms and ammunition by police.

They were produced before the court and remanded for 15 days in police custody.

During police interrogation, they revealed about involvement in the killing of the Moreh SDPO.

Accordingly, the investigating officer filed an application for formal arrest of the duo in connection with the case of the killing of Anand Chingtham.

The court allowed for the formal arrest of the duo.

However, they were remanded to judicial custody till February 12.Police further said that since early morning of January 17, heavily armed Kuki militants launched further attack on the state police forces using sophisticated weapons including RPG launchers, bombs and long-range assault rifles killing two police personnel and injuring seven others in Moreh.

On the demands of some organisations for removal of state forces from Moreh, the police reminded that it is prerogative of the state government deploy forces in any part of the state including Moreh, which is inhabited by multiple communities as in any other area of the state, to ensure law and order.

With regard to the allegations of security forces setting ablaze houses of civilians, an FIR case has been registered and investigation into the incident is on.

The investigation so far has not revealed any evidence that the arson was carried out by any of the security force personnel.

It may be mentioned that there were attacks from heavily armed Kuki militants and miscreants using rockets and bombs in many places of Moreh from early morning on January 17 including in the areas where incident of fire took place and security forces engaged with them throughout the day.

The unfortunate fire incident was doused with the help of fire tenders, security forces and the locals.

The state police and other security forces are working round the clock to maintain law and order and to bring peace in Moreh, police said.

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