Designated SoO Camps in Moreh Found Deserted
A combined force of Special Commando, CDO Moreh, Moreh Police, 5th India Reserve Battallion (IRB), Border Security Force (BSF) and Assam Rifles (AR) carried out search operations at three villages in Moreh on November 2, during which the SoO camps of UKLF and KNA were reportedly found deserted.
The search operations were carried out in Toulal, Senjang and Laikul Village starting from 3 am following the cold-blooded murder of SDPO Moreh Chingtham Anandkumar by Kuki militants in Moreh on October 31 and subsequent ambush on a reinforcement team along National highway near Sinam village in which three commandos were injured.
Reports said that the Kuki militants involved in the killing of SDPO Anand have been suspected to be taking shelter in between the three villages. But they had fled towards the Myanmar border after opening fire on seeing the combined forces approaching towards their shelter.
The combined forces destroyed a Kuki militant shelter, seized arms and vehicles during search operations within Moreh Sub-Division, Tengnoupal district. The combined forces also retaliated to the gunshots but the Kuki militants took advantage of the wee hours and the jungle and fled towards the border, the report added.
The operation which concluded at 8.30 am seized arms and seven vehicles. The seized items are one vino mobile phone bearing SIM card regd. No. USIM-89950111172 QMPT_1977288585, One mobile MI phone bearing Airtel SIM Card regd. No 89911609910056127U, one DI TATA, one Yamaha cygnus ray_Z red in colour, one Yamaha cygnus ray_ Z black in colour, one NTRQ race edition black in colour, one Aprilia SR Black in colour, one Bajaj Avenger 160 street Black in colour without registration numbers and one activa blue in colour regd. No MN06SF_7921, two bullet proof vests cover camouflage, two armless shirts, one full T- shirt camouflage, two camouflage pants, one hunting boot, three carry bags, three belts, one handset baofeng BF_ A 58 with two chargers, two kukri knives with cover, one long knife with cover, three pipe guns local made and some gunpowder composite mixer along with a container, reports said.
Slain SDPO Anand Honoured, Killer Identified
Last homage and floral tributes led by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren were paid to the mortal remains of late SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar at the Manipur Police Memorial, 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles in Imphal on November 1.
Manipur Scurity Advisor Kuldeip Singh also laid the wreath. While talking to media-persons at the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of the slain SDPO Anand, Security Advisor Kuldeip Singh said that individuals involved in the killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand, MPS have been identified and full efforts are underway to arrest them.
The lifeless body was brought from the Morgue of JNIMS in Imphal East and taken on the streets towards the Police Memorial Site at 1st Manipur Rifles Battalion.
State Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi and a host of high ranking officers of police and various security agencies of state and central forces attended the wreath laying ceremony.
While speaking to the media Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren said, SDPO Anand was a brave and patriotic officer and every Indian should feel proud of him. “Anand was killed in a cold-blooded cowardly manner”, Biren said, adding that the government has taken the matter very seriously.
He said joint combing operations of commando, IRB, Army and Assam Rifles have already started. The CM said the combing operations will continue till all the culprits are caught.
Security Advisor Kuldeep Singh said that the person(s) and the group that were involved in the cold-blooded murdered of SDPO Anand has been identified and expressed hope that they will be arrested soon.
More security forces have been sent to Moreh since October 31. However, during the movement of security forces towards Moreh, they were ambushed by armed Kuki militants in which three security forces were injured.
JAC demands Legal Actions
The Joint Action Committee Against Cold-Blooded Killing of Ch Anand, SDPO, Moreh by Chin-Kuki Narco Terrorist’ on October 31 demanded the government to take up legal action against all the CSOs and students supporting the ‘Chin-Kuki Narco terrorists’ who are waging a war against the country.
A public meeting was conducted at the community hall of Youth Development Club, Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai, Imphal West. The meeting unanimously resolved that the present government should wipe out all the ‘Chin Kuki Narco Terrorists’ from its operating areas and from the state; CSOs, students’ bodies, and legal action should be initiated against any group who are supporting the war instigated by Chin Kuki Narco Terrorists; and the state government should announce to the public when the unrest is going to end.
The meeting further resolved that if the demands are not fulfilled by November 5, intensified agitation will be launched with support from the public and various CSOs.
Violence Victims Protest Against Killing Of SDPO Anand
Enraged over the unprovoked murder of Moreh Police SDPO Chingtham Anand on Tuesday (October 31) morning by suspected Kuki militants, in the afternoon hundreds of inmates from Ideal Girls College, Akampat relief took out a protest rally on the same day demanding authorities to ramp up deployment of state forces in Moreh and put a complete stop on the Chin-Kuki militant operations in the area.
Majority of the inmates at Akampat hail from mostly from Moreh and Churachanpur. The rally commenced from Akampat and continued till Loklaobung bridge, Imphal escorted by state police to avoid untoward incidents.
During the rally, the protestors held several placards and shouted slogans demanding authorities to take swift action against the Kuki militants increase the number of state forces deployed in Moreh and change the leader of the unified command, reports added.
Moreover, displaced people of Moreh at Wangjing on Tuesday condemned the state government for the death of a police officer in Moreh and alleged that the Kukis killed the officers as the government failed to deploy additional security forces in Moreh.
Relief camp inmates of the Wangjing Kodompokpi sports complex and Lamding Higher Secondary school protested along the national highway at Wangjing-Heirok Lamkhai upon hearing the news of SDPO Moreh Chingtham Anand Kumar being shot death by the Kukis in Moreh.
MPCC Condemns Killing
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Keisham Meghachandra on Tuesday October 31 condemned the killing of SDPO Moreh, Chingtham Anandkumar, by Kuki militants. Meghachandra lamented the negligence of the state government in restoring normalcy in violence-hit Manipur, which has persisted for almost six months.
Speaking to the media at the Congress Bhawan in Imphal, Meghachandra expressed deep concerns over the safety of security personnel tasked with maintaining law-and-order in the region. He emphasised that their lives are at risk, and they find themselves unable to protect lives, properties, and uphold the Indian Constitution.
MPCC President Meghachandra has expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s response, accusing it of defending its position while failing to address the deteriorating law and order situation. He stated that the killing of the SDPO on duty by Kuki militants is a significant evidence of a complete breakdown in law-and-order in Manipur and alleged that governance is no more in some hill districts, reports added.
‘Stripping Police Powers Resulted In Officer’s Death’: CPI
The Communist Party of India Manipur State Council (CPI-MSC), on October 31 slammed the state government for allegedly stripping powers away from state police and asserted that Tuesday’s incident at Moreh is a clear example of the same.
Even the public is aware that the situation in Moreh is already tense, yet the chief minister is allegedly remaining a mute spectator, given that he acceded to the move to let Union Home Minister Amit Shah take the lead in the hills, CPI-MSC stated in a release.
The CPI in the release alleged that the government’s ignorance resulted in the death of SDPO Moreh Ch Anand, who was killed by a sniper bullet allegedly fired by Kuki militants in Moreh on Tuesday (October 31). It also expressed condolence on the tragic demise of the police officer.
It lambasted the government’s claims of improvement of law-and-order and restoration of peace and normalcy in the state and asked whether the claims are only applicable to the valley areas of the state. It further asked whether the ‘law-and-order has improved’ claims mean use of excessive force against innocent people and terrorising them.
The CPI in the release accused the government of failing to maintain strict law-and-order in the hills of the state for decades, adding that the government’s continued negligence has aggravated the issue. The law-and-order situation in both the hill and valley needs immediate action, it said and appealed to the government to take necessary measures at the earliest.
Rs 50 Lakhs Ex-Gratia for SDPO Anand’s Family
An emergency Cabinet meeting approved an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh as compensation for the death of Chingtham Anand Kumar, considering the special duty in a special area. A suitable government employment shall also be provided to the next-of-kin of the deceased martyr.
The emergency Cabinet meeting held on October 31 following the unprovoked killing of MPS officer Chingtham Anandkumar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Moreh, a resident of Kwakeithel Moirang Purel, Imphal by Kuki militants condemned the act in strongest terms and directed to launch a joint operation in Moreh and adjoining areas and continue till the culprits are arrested.
The Cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Office at 11 am noted that additional state forces have been detailed from Imphal for the purpose and the operations have since started.
Manipur Government Recommended To Ban WKZIC
The Manipur Cabinet held on October 31 following the unprovoked killing of MPS officer Chingtham Anandkumar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Moreh also noted that an organisation, the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) had issued a press release on October 24 calling upon the Kuki-Zo community that during this November, before the harvesting season, the community will face another war; and arms and ammunition should therefore be in sufficient stock.
The said release informed that the youth volunteers would be the ones going to face the war on the frontlines, and that its national army/UG groups will join the youth volunteers only in critical situations, citing that this would be because Kuki National army/UG groups would not be able to join the war freely in view of SOO agreement. It further informed that its national volunteers shall be equipped with the best arms and if required, ammunition will be supplied without limit.
The Cabinet noted that an FIR has already been lodged against the organization on Monday. In view of the incident leading to the killing of a senior police officer, the Cabinet approved to also recommend for declaration of the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), as an unlawful association/organization under section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Armes Recovered, Bunkers Destroyed
Security forces on October 30 recovered arms and ammunition during cordon and search operations at different locations of Manipur. A combined teams of district police Imphal East (CDO IE, RL/IE, Lamlai PS), Special CDO Khabeisoi, 8 IRB, 7 MR, one coy E 86 CRPF, columns of 1/3 GR and 4 AR led by Additional SP(Ops)/IE Kh. Herojit Singh under the command of SP/IE conducted the search operations from 3.30 am to 6 am.
The search operation, which was supervised by IGP Zone-1, DIG Range-1 and Commander, Indian Army, Imphal East, was conducted at Sanjenbam Khullen, Gouranagar and Terakhong village under Lamlai Police station, Imphal East district.
The teams were divided and the search operations conducted simultaneously at different places. The items recovered were one 303 Rifle with empty magazine, one SMG carbine with empty magazine, one AK MA-3 MK II with one empty magazine, one 9mm Pistol with empty magazine, 20 nos. of 36 HE Grenades without detonators, one empty AK 47 magazine, two empty INSAS magazine, one empty INSAS LMG magazine and one empty M16 magazine. The recovered items have been handed over to Lamlai PS for further legal formalities.
Moreover, a combined team of district police Imphal East (SDPO LLI, DSP CDO, OC CDO IE and OC Sagolmang PS), 18 AR, 16 AR, 22 AR, 6 IRB and 4 BN G coy CRPF led by Additional SP(Ops)/IE under the command of SP/IE and under the overall supervision of IGP Zone-1 and DIG Range-1 also conducted search operation at Sanjenlok, Yangdoupokpi, Sanjenlok hilltop (Mark), Eshingthembi hill tops and surrounding areas from 7:00 am to 3 pm.
The combined teams were divided and the search operations conducted simultaneously in the said area and dismantled a total of six bunkers (four bunkers built on Sanjenlok Hilltop, “MARK” bunkers and two bunkers built on Esingthembi hilltop) and also recovered the following arms and ammunitions.
One 22 Rifle with empty Magazine bearing body No.1978 Butt no.8, two 9 mm Pistols with two empty Magazines, one Pistol with empty magazines, one SMG carbine with empty magazine, one INSAS empty magazine, one empty SLR magazine, one rifle, 34 AK47 empty shell, six green 80WP MK-1 with six Detonators, one broken butt of DBBL, 14 nos. of 36 HE grenades, 15 Tube Launchers, 10 ring, six HD cartridges and one mortar shell.
The recovered items are being handed over to Sagolmang PS for further legal formalities, reports added.
HRA Clarifies On Myanmar Origin Mya Kyay Mon
The Human Rights Alert has issued a clarification regarding an article titled “Lady arrested from Khwairamband Keithel with Norwegian Passport is a Myanmar based armed militant” published in an eveninger on Sunday (October 29).
The news-report had gone viral in the social media attracting adverse comments from various quarters.
Human Rights Alert (HRA) in a statement said, the case of Mya Kyay Mon, a Norwegian citizen of Myanmar origin, was brought to the attention of HRA by the Myanmar language instructor of the Center for Myanmar Studies of Manipur University.
When the matter was brought to the attention of HRA, for the first time in 2022, she was already detained in the Imphal Central Jail. HRA did not know her before, nor does it have any prior contact with her.
HRA took up her case as a “woman in distress case” and informed the relevant section of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi. Thereinafter she was issued a fresh Norwegian Passport as her old passport had expired.
The statement further said, upon her release on bail and not having a place to stay, she contacted HRA for help. We assisted her to stay in a women’s home run by an NGO, pending her trial in the court.
In the wake of the ethnic unrest in Manipur and when the NGO expressed their discomfort in keeping her, we organised an air ticket for her to go out of the state, the HRA statement added.
The HRA statement said, we have been informed that she was summoned by the court to appear in her pending trial in Manipur. We had no prior contact with her before we met her in the jail in Manipur.
We do not know her antecedents or background. HRA only provided legal aid and humanitarian services when requested by a woman in distress as per our mandate as an organisation defending human rights for all, the statement said.
Mao Police Seize Suspected Brown Sugar
A team of Mao police seized 608 grams of suspected brown sugar from an omni van which was going from Senapati side towards Nagaland while conducting frisking and checking below Pudunamei along Pudunamei-Kedima road, about 6 km East from Mao police station, on November 2.
The driver of the said Omni Van (Maruti Suzuki/Blue in colour), bearing registration number NL01C-8105, immediately stopped the vehicle while the vehicle was around 100 metre away from the team and fled towards the jungle in a suspicious manner, reports said.
The driver left the van behind along with the key and its registration paper as there wasn’t enough space to turn the vehicle back and flee as it’s an inter village road, added the reports.
On checking the vehicle, suspected drugs were found concealed on both sides of the rear door of the vehicle. DC/SPT was intimated and a request was made to depute one Magistrate, accordingly ADM/MAO Ningreingam Leisan, 45. (Executive Magistrate) was deputed for doing the necessary procedures.
The vehicle was thoroughly checked in presence of the magistrate and the police found 47 soap cases concealed in the vehicle. The 47 soap cases were weighed by using a weighing machine in presence of the Executive Magistrate and weighed 608 gram (without the weight of the soap case). The seized items have been taken to Mao PS and a case has been taken up for further investigation, reports added.
