MHA Decides to Deploy Central Forces in Moreh as Militants Kill a Village volunteer and Three BSF Personnel Injured in Fresh Violence in Manipur

Guwahati: The situation in trouble-torn border town Moreh where two state police personnel were killed on Wednesday remained volatile, with the ministry of home affairs on Thursday deciding to deploy central forces by replacing the state police forces to pacify the situation. The local residents, mostly Kuki of the areas, have been demanding removal of state police forces from the India-Myanmar border town.

The violence and clashes in border towns triggered a protest in Meitei dominated Imphal and other parts of the valley where a large number of women took to the streets, protesting the killings of the two Meitei police personnel and demanding more state security forces in Moreh.

Security sources said that a series of incidents rocked the state on Wednesday following the killing of the two Meitei police personnel. In Thoubal, a district in the valley, the unrest escalated into mobs targeting security establishments. In the past too, violent incidents in sites of the conflict have been followed by attempts to breach security establishments with the intent to loot arms and ammunition.

A mob targeted the 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion in Khangabok, Thoubal where they were pushed back by security forces. It also targeted the Thoubal Police Headquarters where the police said that the mob tried to “breach” the premises. When security forces pushed them back, armed people from among the mob fired at them, the police said, as a result of which three BSF personnel sustained bullet injuries. The three personnel – constable Gaurav Kumar and Assistant Sub Inspectors Sobram Singh and Ramji – have been evacuated to a private hospital in Imphal for treatment.

Security sources on Thursday said that the ministry of home affairs have decided to deploy central forces in Kuki dominated Moreh. Indicating that central forces have been rushed to Moreh, security sources said that army helicopters have been pressed to deploy central forces.

Meanwhile, security sources said that armed militants killed a village volunteer early Thursday morning in Imphal West's Kangchup Range.

Takhellambam Manoranjan (23) of Thiyam Konjin Samajing Leikai died due to injuries sustained during the confrontations with militants on Thursday, police said. Another village volunteer, Wanglen Mongshatabam (27) of Chingmeirong, was injured in the crossfire on Thursday morning.