Imphal, Jan 18:
Two people were feared killed and 10 injured in attacks by armed Kuki militants in renewed firing of bombs and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) since Wednesday night.
Due to heavy firing, rescue operations could not be done, and it was not possible to help the victims. Two Manipur Police personnel were killed, and six police were grievously injured in attacks by Kuki militants at the border town, Moreh said on Thursday.
Police said massive firings were reported in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishenpur, and Kakching districts. Large numbers of villagers, including women and children, fled from their residences due to the attack.
The mortal remains of those killed and those injured could not only be brought to Imphal due to firing from Kuki militants. The injured were finally able to reach the hospital in Imphal around 2.45 a.m. on Thursday.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh met the injured jawans and inquired about their health.
Police said the militants were using sophisticated weapons and bombs and had no means of fighting them. Only the Army and Assam Rifles have the arms to fight the militants. Manipur remained tense as people came out on the streets demanding action against the Kuki militants and urging the Army to step in to stop the Kuki militants.
Police said in a statement that the armed militants orchestrated a violent attack on the state forces, employing firearms and explosives in Moreh, Tengnoupal district. A personnel of the 6th Manipur Rifles, Wangkhem Somorjit Meetei, and personnel of the 10th IRB, namely Takhellambam Sieleshwor Singh, were martyred in the attack by the armed militants at Moreh.
The six police personnel who sustained injuries were Md. Kemal Hassan, Songsuathui Aimol, Md. Abdul Hasim, Ngasepam Vim, ASI Sidarth Thokchom, and K Premananda. Security forces are engaging the inimical elements, it was added.
A mob also attacked various security posts in Thoubal District. Security forces repelled them using the minimum necessary force. Further, the mob attempted to breach Thoubal Police Headquarters, prompting the security forces to use legal force. Armed miscreants from among the mob fired with live rounds. As a result, three personnel from BSF sustained bullet injuries, namely Gourav Kumar, ASI Sobram Singh, and ASI Ramji. The injured security forces have been evacuated to Raj Medicity for medical treatment.
As the Manipur-Myanmar border is mostly unfenced and people from either side can freely move towards any side, it was suspected that those attacking could easily escape towards Myanmar.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Government has reimposed a curfew in Thoubal district, and the ban on mobile internet services in the district boundaries has been extended
