Army denies allegations in Ningthoukhong incident
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 20 2024: The Indian Army has strongly refuted allegations in a report published in this daily on its January 20 edition under the heading "Let people defend Manipur: Shiv Sena", regarding their personnel's involvement in the firing incident that led to the tragic death of four civilians in Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou.

The Army asserts that the statements made in the news story are baseless, lacking factual accuracy, and undermine commitment of the Indian Army.

In the report, Shiv Sena Manipur leader M Tombi alleged that "that the firing incident in Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou that killed four innocent civilians happened barely 10 minutes after personnel of Sikh Regiment deployed nearby left the area" and that "before leaving the area where a drinking water facility is located, personnel of Sikh Regiment even asked the villagers to help them in fetching drinking water and assured of providing food items instead of money as they had no cash.

Just after personnel of Sikh Regiment left the area, armed Kukis entered and brutally killed four civilians in the area" .

These statements are baseless, without factual correctness undermining commitment of the Indian Army, informed a statement issued by PRO Defence.

According to the statement, on January 18, around 11 AM, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bishnupur PS requested Army troops to conduct a joint check of the water supply point in Ningthoukhong Kha Khunnou for the deployment of additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to en -hance the security of the area.

A combined team of the Indian Army, along with the SHO and six other police personnel from Bishnupur PS, carried out the joint inspection between approximately 11:30 AM to 12 PM.

The Army emphasises that the firing incident occurred at around 4 PM, approximately four hours after the Indian Army troops had left the site.

They further clarify that both the BSF and the police had conducted combing operations in Chingphei area from 9 AM to 12:45 PM on the same day.

The Indian Army expresses regret over the incorrect and.

misleading content of the report, stating that it appears to be published with malicious intent to tarnish the image of the Armed Forces and incite public sentiments.

The Army urges media houses to verify facts before reporting and refrain from publishing uncorroborated news.

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