IGP IK Muivah calls for peace; 80 pc of looted arms recovered
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, October 05 2024:
In the wake of recovering a substantial amount of looted arms, Inspector General of Police IK Muivah has urged the public for cooperation, dialogue, and consultation to restore peace in the township.
The call comes as Ukhrul town is gradually limping back to a semblance of normalcy following a conflict that broke out between Hungpung and Hunphun villages over a land boundary dispute on October 2 .
In a press briefing held at the Ukhrul Police Station in Ukhrul town, here, on Saturday, IGP IK Muivah informed that 80% of the looted arms have been recovered, and with the same efforts continuing, he assured of retrieving the remaining arms in the coming few days.
Making an appeal to the public as well as public leaders, he said: "Let's cooperate together, let us take peace as a precious commodity because without peace everything is paralysed.
So let us give importance to peace and peaceful dialogue and consultation with each other instead of violent means" .
The recovered 16 weapons out of the 20 looted arms including 9mm pistols, INSAS rifles, AK-47 rifles, 9mm carbines and SLR along with 340 INSAS rounds, 250 carbine rounds, 201 rounds of 9mm, 180 rounds of AK-47 and 10 rounds of SLR, totalling 981 rounds were displayed during the press briefing.
IK Muivah also outlined the recent violence that erupted in Ukhrul district headquarters on October 2, stating that the situation escalated quickly, prompting senior police officials, including himself along with DIG Worngam Ningshen and SP Ningshem Vashum, to be deployed for restoring law and orde r along with BSF and Assam Rifles.
IGP Muivah informed that direct confrontations between conflicting part ies have ceased since the evening of Oct ober 2, thanks to the deployment of an adequate security presence.
He said the deployment included personnel from the Civil Police, Manipur Rifles, Assam Rifles, and the Border Security Force (BSF).
He said that during the intense conflict, a group of agitated mob attacked Ukhrul Police Station and looted 20 arms.
However, the weapons that were taken away by the mob have been recovered on October 4, he added.
He also acknowledged the cooperation of village leaders from Hunphun and Hungpung villages in stabilising the situation, and added "We are now seeing normalcy from the evening of 2nd October till date".
IGP Muivah expressed gratitude to various civil society organisations and local leaders of Hunphun village for their cooperation in the recovery process.
He mentioned the headman of Hunphun village and local authorities, chairman of Hunphun Executive Council and his colleagues, HKL president and his colleagues, Hunphun Shanao Long and social workers including Somatai Shaiza, Khayui Raleng, Yaalui Zingkhai, and Madam Soso Shaiza, and Agnes Shaiza.
He also acknowledged the role of Commander, 10 Sector Assam Rifles with his officers and personnel, Adhoc Commandant BSF with his officers and personnel and Rev Zaklei Kaping, pastor, Phungyo Baptist Church.
Describing the cooperation displayed by public leaders as unprecedented and exemplary, IK Muivah highlighted the importance of community engagement in restoring law and order in the town.
CO Sandeep Singh also highlighted the security measures initiated since October 2 with minimum use force and acknowledged the collected efforts of the security forces and leaders of the two villages.
He also assured that through these joint efforts the situation was brought under control and that there is no further security threat to humans and properties.
The press meet was also attended by Ukhrul DC Zuringla Kengoo, DIG Worn gam Ningshen, Kamjong SP Ningshem Vashum, Ukhrul SP Karthik Malladi, 10 Sector Assam Rifles CO Sandeep Singh, Hunphun headman Khayaiwo and Hunphun CSOs leaders.
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