Manipur: Assassination of a police officer incites fury as the Chief Minister vows Justice

IMPHAL: In a tragic turn of events, a Manipur police officer was fatally shot by insurgents while overseeing the construction of a helipad on the border with Myanmar. This incident has prompted a significant response from the Manipur government, as they issued a statement following an emergency cabinet meeting, condemning the shocking killing and recommending the designation of the 'World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council' as an "unlawful organization/association" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, which pertains to terrorism.

The Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, has strongly denounced the act, describing it as a "cold-blooded killing" and assuring the public that those responsible will be brought to justice.

The attack on the helipad construction project signals a dangerous escalation in hostilities between security forces and hill-based insurgents. This incident occurred against the backdrop of recent efforts to restore peace in ethnically volatile Manipur.

The victim, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand, was rushed to a local clinic in the restive town of Moreh, which has witnessed intense ethnic clashes between Kuki tribes and Meiteis in recent months. Tragically, Anand succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

This tragic event unfolded in the midst of ongoing unrest in the northeastern state. Just weeks prior, numerous civil society organizations had demanded the withdrawal of state forces from the border town, indicating the deep-seated tensions in the region.

The SDPO sustained his injuries when a group of insurgents opened fire on the police while they were inspecting the newly constructed helipad at Eastern ground, a region predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community. Police reports confirm that Anand passed away after being transported to a primary health center in Moreh.

In response to the attack, an operation has been initiated in the area to capture the militants responsible.

Over the past few months, Manipur has been plagued by violence that has claimed over 180 lives. The unrest began in May, triggered by a Tribal Solidarity March in the hill districts, organized in protest of the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

In recent developments, security forces have seized a substantial cache of weapons and dismantled six bunkers constructed by armed individuals in Manipur's Imphal East and Churachandpur districts. A police statement revealed the recovery of four firearms, 20 hand grenades, and five empty rifle magazines in various locations in Imphal East district.

Furthermore, six firearms, including two 9mm pistols, along with 21 hand grenades and a mortar shell, were discovered on Sanjenlok hilltop and Eshingthembi hilltop in Imphal East district. Two firearms, including a locally-made heavy mortar, were recovered from D Moljang village in Churachandpur district.

Additionally, Manipur Police has apprehended more than ten individuals from Myanmar in recent days, accusing them of illegally entering Indian territory and subsequently stealing furniture and other household items from the abandoned residences of Meiteis.

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