Two injured in ambush on CM's advance security convoy
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 10 2024: An advance security convoy of Chief Minister N Biren detailed for Road Opening Patrol (ROP) duty was ambushed by suspected Kuki militants on Monday morning along the Imphal-Jiribam road (NH-37), resulting in injuries to two individuals, including a member of the security team.

Police said that the ambush took place around 10.30 am in K Sinam village area, near Kotlien.

The well-armed militants, holed in the upper slopes along the route, opened fire on the convoy en route to Jiribam district.

Among the injured was Moirangthem Ajesh alias Bobo (28), a civilian driver of a Bolero SUV used by the advance security team.

Ajesh, who suffered a gunshot wound on his back, was immediately taken to Shija Hospital for treatment.

The other injured, a CID security member, received minor injuries and was given first aid at the spot itself.

Chief Minister N Biren had planned to visit Jiribam on Tuesday by helicopter to assess the escalating violence in the district, which had remained peaceful until the recent murder of a Meetei civilian, Soibam Sarat, by Kuki militants on June 6.The gruesome act of murdering the innocent civilian triggered a series of violent incidents, including burning down of over 80 Meetei houses, two police outposts, and a forest beat office.

Additionally, Kuki militants sabotaged two key bridges in the district.

Following the ambush, the security team retaliated leading to an intense gunfight with the militants.

A team from the 19 Assam Rifles, along with senior officials, rushed to the spot and launched search operation.

However, their efforts were initially obstructed by local women from the Kuki community, who blocked the route of the security forces.

The search operation resumed after additional security teams, including police and commando units led by an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) arrived.

The security forces destroyed several bunkers used by the Kuki militants, though no arrests were made.

The advance security team continued towards Jiribam leaving behind four vehicles hit in the ambush.

The state has been embroiled in conflict between the Kuki and Meetei communities since May 3 last year.

The ambush on the CM's convoy underscores the volatile situation in Jiribam, where peace had been maintained until the recent surge in violence.

An organisation called Indigenous Tribal Advocacy Committee (ITAC) had also openly opposed the deployment of state forces in Kuki-dominated areas.

According to a police officer, the advance security convoy was on its way to the trouble-torn Jiribam district on Monday ahead of CM Biren Singh's scheduled visit to the border district which recently witnessed violence.

Suspected militants fired multiple gunshots at the advance security convoy vehicles, following which the security personnel also retaliated.

The gunmen eventually fled.

The police officer said additional security forces, comprising personnel of Assam Rifles and.

Manipur Police have reached the site of the attack, around 40 km from Imphal, and launched a massive combing operation to nab the militants.

The Chief Minister arrived in Imphal from Delhi on Monday afternoon and visited the hospital, where Moirangthem Ajesh, is undergoing treatment.

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