Forces will retaliate if provoked: AR DG
Search Ops conducted; Sp CDO SP escapes sniper attack
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 10 2024: Assam Rifles director general lieutenant general PC Nair on Wednesday visited Moreh in view of the present escalated security situation and persistent attacks on security forces.

In a release, PRO 1GAR (S) informed that on reaching Moreh, general Nair was briefed by the sector commander brigadier VP Yadav on the present security situation in the area.

The AR DG also met with members of the civil society organisations including Hill Tribe Council; Kuki Students Organisation; Kuki Women's Union; Human Rights, Moreh; Kuki Inpi, Tengnoupal; Tamil Sangam, Gorkha Samaj Samiti and Manipur Muslims Council.

After according patient listening to issues of concern raised by different groups, the general officer said that Moreh is a township that is very different from the other towns in Manipur because of its cosmopolitan nature.

People from Kuki, Meetei, Naga, Tamil, Pangal, Gorkha, Sikh and other communities have been residing for decades in peace and harmony, he noted.

"The past eight months of strife that was preceded by two years of Covid has greatly affected the lives of the children and youth.

Their future is at stake and thus there is no other alternative but to shun violence," the DG stressed.

He further mentioned that all their grievances will be looked into and studied but it is for the people of Moreh particularly the women to actively act towards restoration of peace.

Sounding a note of caution, he also asked all the CSOs to tell those moving around with weapons that the central security forces will retaliate in an appropriate manner if provoked or fired upon.

"It is in everybody's interest to restore peace and thus everyone's responsibility to work towards it".

"AR will always live up to the sobriquet of 'Friends of the North East' even in the most challenging circumstance," he assured.

The AR DGs visit is aimed at enhancing coordination amongst CSOs and open channels of communication between security forces and the CSOs, added the PRO.

Meanwhile, security forces continued to conduct search operation in different parts of the state as part of its effort to contained unwanted incidents.

According to police report, a combined team of Sekmai police team comprising women personnel, Imphal West district police commandos and CRPF conducted search operation in Sekmai Nongthonband area under Sekmai police station in Imphal West district from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm, on Wednesday.

A total of 150 houses were searched and 630 people verified during the search operation.

A similar search operation was also carried out at Nongpok Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district from 6:10 am till 7:30 am oh Wednesday.

Around 30 houses were searched and 40 people verified.

A combined team of Bishnupur district police commandos and personnel of SSB also conducted search operation at Oinam Maning Leikai under Nambol police station in Bishnupur district from 7:30 am till 9 am on Wednesday, during which searches were conducted in a total of 70 houses and 98 people were verified.

From 6:30 am to 7:30 am, search operation was conducted by Kakching district police in Wangoo Mamang Sabal area under Wangoo police station.

During the operation, 60 houses were searched and 98 people verified.

Thoubal district police also conducted search operation at Pechi Awang Leikai under Yairipok police station during which 50 houses were searched and 150 people varied.

No arms and ammunition were recovered and no arrests made in all the operations.

Meanwhile, despite stern warning issued by 5 AR commanding officer on Tuesday that security forces will retaliate if provoked or attacked, Kuki militants attacked the bullet proof vehicle used by special commando SP Th Krishnatombi around 5.40 pm.

According to source, Kuki militants attacked the bullet proof vehicle of Krishnatombi using sniper rifle while he went for inspecting the BSF post at sub-divisional hospital located at Moreh Ward no 7 Heinou Makhong.

Two bullets hit the vehicle but there was no injury caused.

Subsequently, special commando and state forces retaliated by firing several rounds.

Upon receiving information about the attack, additional state forces rushed to the area and conducted search operation.

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