Rifleman killed in shoot out with suspected SoO cadres
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 11 2023:
A Rifleman of flie 5th Manipur Rifles was killed and four others were injured in an exchange of fire with suspected Kuki militants today morning at Tronglaobi Makha Leikai Chingkhong under Bishnupur district.
The MR personnel, attached to Bishnupur CDO, killed in action has been identified as Heisnam Jiten Singh (37), of Thanga Heisnam Leikai, Bishnupur district.
The four other personnel who sustained bullet injuries have been identified as Sub Inspector S Ojit of Heirangoithong, Head Constable Md Islamuddin of Thoubal Moijing, Y Chetan of Kakching Ningthou Leikai and Rajao Haque of Yairipok Changamdabi Makha Leikai.
They have been evacuated and are undergoing treatment in different hospitals of Imphal and Bishnupur.
Among the injured personnel, Rajao Haque was hit by a bullet below the left knee and Y Chetan was hit' by a bullet in his nose.
Both of them are under observation at Raj Medicity and operations bf the injured police personnel are likely to be conducted tomorrow.
Sources said some VDF personnel and locals of Terakhongsangbi Maning who were guarding the village due, to the conflict between Kuki and Meitei saw some suspected armed Kuki militants 6n the nearby hill coming down towards the paddy field in the area early morning today.
The suspected Kuki militants then opened fire towards the security personnel guarding Tronglaobi Makha Leikai Chlngkhong.
Then both sides exchanged fire.
After receiving reports of the gunfight, a reinforcement team of Bishnupur district police rushed to the spot and joined the gunfight.
Heisnam Jiten Singh, the Rifleman of the 5th Manipur Rifles attached to BPR CDO, got bullet injuries in the exchange of fire and succumbed on his way to a hospital.
His body has been deposited at RIMS Morgue for post-mortem.
The source also said that there might be some casualties on the side of the suspected Kuki militants during the gunfight.
After the gunfight, a large number of combined teams of State Police and Para Military Force carried out search operations to nab the suspected Kuki militants who were involved in the gunfight.
Heisnam Jiten Singh is survived by his wife, Heisnam ongbi Ranjita Devi and their two children, Heisnam Jetli Singh (18) and Heisnam | Lanchenbi Devi (10) .
Meanwhile, the wife and a Joint Action Committee formed against the incident have demanded the Government to scrap the Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed with Kuki underground outfits and declare ihem terrorists for killing State police personnel and civilians.
In a statement released to the media.
Heisnam Bilanda, the convenor of the JAC Against the Killing of Heisnam Jiten Singh, said that the incident happened today was unfortunate and "Kuki militants" are responsible for the killing of the MR personnel.
The State Government should declare Kuki underground outfits under SoO as terrorists, he said.
Secondly, the Government should expeditiously announce and give appropriate ex-gratia to the family of Heisnam Jiten and also give suitable Government jobs to the children of the slain personnel.
Thirdly, the Government should defuse the tension and assure safety and security of the people amid the conflict between communities, the convenor added.
The co-convenors of the JAC include Laishram Joy Singh, Oinam Rameshor Singh and Khwairakpam Ibochouba.
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