Imphal

Manipur Inspector General of Police, Intelligence, K Kabib on Saturday said that security has been heightened and a military helicopter was deployed for patrolling and conducting aerial surveys following the attack by suspected Kuki militants in the fringe areas in between Bishnupur and Churachandpur border, a day ago.

The official further said that situation has been brought under control. He said that early this morning in two combing operations, a good number of sophisticated arms and ammunitions, explosives, grenades were recovered.

"Today, early morning, suspected Kuki militants attacked Nungchappi village under Jiribham district incident in which one 63-year-old civilian was killed, the IPS officer Kabib said addressing a press conference.

The senior police official stated that armed miscreants continued the firing and forwarding near Rashidpur village. "The volunteers of the village confronted and there was an exchange of fire... SP Jiribham and his team rushed to the spot...retaliated and controlled the firing. There was a report of one Bachaspatimayum Lakhikanta Sharma, 41-year-old of Dibong Khunou Jiribham... Later while searching the general area where the firing took place, three dead bodies of the miscreants were found. The details of the miscreants are yet to be ascertained." Kabib said.

"Yesterday, some Kuki militants fired and attacked the fringe areas in between Bishnupur and Churachandpur border. In response to that, combined forces have destroyed two bunkers which were previously occupied by militants Two bunkers at Mualsang village and one bunker at Laika Mualsau village of Churachandpur were destroyed, " the IPS officer Kabib said.

"After that, there was long range rocket fired from the hills by Kuki Militants in Moirang Phiwangbam Leikai, in which one civilian named RK Rabei died and six more civilians are injured. Due to this incident, there was a large gathering of volunteers and miscreants from both sides but immediately our senior officers, SP Bishnupur and others, rushed to the spot and they deployed additional forces," the Manipur Inspector General of Police Kabib said, addressing a press conference.

"A military helicopter was also deployed for patrolling and conducting aerial surveys. There were a lot of fire exchanges. The situation was brought under control," he added.

Briefing about yesterday's incident, the IGP intelligence said that there was an attempt to loot arms at the 7th MR (Manipur Rifles) Khabeisoi and the 2nd MR (Manipur Rifles) Imphal.

"The combined security forces deployed at these locations dispersed the mob and repelled the attempt. Some vehicles belonging to the miscreants were also damaged. While the reinforcement party from our police was returning, they were fired upon by some miscreants at Khabeisoi, in which two of our officers got injured," he said.

He further said that a reinforcement led by senior officers. rushed to the spot and controlled the situation and evacuated these two officials.

"Now they are out of danger... Yesterday, at late night, it was dark and many bystanders were nearby. That is why our police did not retaliate in the direction from where the fire was coming... We used only tear-smoke munitions on the miscreants and some blank fires in the air," the IPS officer said.

"The security situation was reviewed at the highest level and our police have intensified the combing operations from yesterday, and today morning it was increased in fringe areas," he said.

Meanwhile, prohibitory notice has been issued by the District Administration Jiribam Krishna Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner after the Jiribam incident.

"Whereas, as per report laid by Superintendent of Police, Jiribam, by vide letter no. A- 1/82/SP-JBM/2023/7809 dated: September 7, 2024, that there is an apprehension of wide spread disturbance to peace and public tranquillity or a riot or any affray in the area and grave danger to human lives and properties because of the unlawful activities of some anti-social elements for furtherance of their evil designs," the notice read.

"Whereas, such disturbances may result in serious breach of peace, public tranquility and imminent danger to human life and properties. Now, therefore, I, Krishna Kumar, IAS, District Magistrate, Jiribam, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under sub-section 1 of Section 163 of BNSS, 2023, do hereby prohibit: Assembly of 05(five) or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful and the movement of any person outside their respective residences," the notice read.

"Carrying of fire arms, swords, sticks, stone or other lethal weapons, sharp edged article/objects of any description which can be used as offensive weapons. This order shall not apply on the government agencies/functionaries and security forces involved in the maintenance of law and order and other essential services, it added.

The notice further read that in case of emergency and for persons who want to take out procession for marriage, funeral, etc. within the scheduled area, applications may be made to the undersigned or to the Superintendent of Police, Jiribam District, for permission and they shall not take out any procession until the written permission is obtained from the authorities.

"Whereas, there is an emergency and circumstances do not permit serving due notice upon the public, this order is passed ex-parte under sub-section 2 of Section 163 of BNSS, 2023 and is directed to the public in general. This order will come into force with immediate effect from 07th September, 2024 and will remain in force until further order, and any person found guilty of violation of this order shall be punished under relevant rules; Further, Superintendent of Police, Jiribam, with the help of all the security forces present in the district, shall strictly enforce this order for maintenance of law and order in the district," the notice read.

Earlier today, Manipur Police confirmed that Kuki militants deployed long-range rockets among the civilian population in two locations, killing a 78-year-old man identified as RK Rabei, and injuring six others in Bishnupur. "Police teams and additional security forces have been rushed in to conduct combing operations in the hill ranges adjoining the area," Manipur police said in a post on X.

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