Manipur: 2 CRPF Personnel Killed In Militant Attack On India Reserve Battalion Camp In Bishnupur

Manipur Militant Attack: The deceased personnel were serving in CRPS’s 128 Battalion and were deployed in the Naransena area in Bishnupur district of the state to provide security to an IRBn camp. 

Representational image. This is the first time militants have targeted Central forces in Manipur since the ethnic violence stared in May 2023.

Source : Getty Images

Manipur Attack: Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and two others were seriously injured when unidentified militants fired at an India Reserve Battalion camp in Bishnupur district and caused an explosion early Saturday, the Manipur Police said. The incident occurred sometime after 12.30 am. This is the first time a targeted attack has been made on Central security forces since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur in May 2023, said Kuldiep Singh, security adviser, Manipur government. 

The deceased personnel are sub-inspector N. Sarkar, 55, from Assam’s Barpeta, and head constable Arup Saini, 40, from West Bengal.

According to a PTI report, the militants fired indiscriminately from hilltops, taregtting the camp. The firing continued till 2.15 am, and the militants also hurled bombs, one of which exploded, the report said. 

The camp is located at Naranseina in the Moirang police station area in in Bishnupur district. Though an initial report filed by the Bishnupur police blamed “Kuki militants” for the attack, Kuldiep Singh, who addressed the media, did not specify the name of the group responsible for the attack as he said “whatever group is active in the area is responsible and I do not need to repeat the names”.  

Quoting a "top government source", a report in The Hindu said the initial police report was not final, and could not be called an “outcome of an investigation”. Singh, however, said no Kuki-Zo or Meitei groups had attacked the Central security forces in the past.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the attack, which he called "cowardice". “Such actions demonstrate cowardice against dedicated security personnel who work tirelessly day and night to uphold peace and stability in the State. Their sacrifice will not go in vain,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Strongly condemn the assault carried out against the Indian security forces, resulting in the tragic loss of two CRPF personnel in the Naransena area of Bishnupur district. Such actions demonstrate cowardice against dedicated security personnel who work tirelessly day and night…

— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) April 27, 2024

First Targeted Attack On Central Forces Since Ethnic Violence Began In Manipur 

Speaking about the attack, Kuldiep Singh said this was the first time that central forces have been attacked in the region.

He said there was a "storm kind of condition and it was quite dark" when the militants struck at the IRBn camp. "Before the forces retaliated they (militants) fired on the camp inmates, and four personnel got serious injuries out of which two succumbed to the injuries. Investigation will be done and we will take action against them. We will not spare them and bring them to the court of law. They will have to pay for this as per the law of the land...," he said, adding: "This is the first time that they have attacked the forces. None of the militants of Meiteis or Kukis attacked the forces as the forces are here to maintain peace and that is how we are in the middle of both communities."

The two injured personnel are inspector Jadav Das and constable Aftab Ul Hussain, who received splinter wounds. They were taken to Imphal for treatment, and are out of danger, the PTI report cited above said, quoting an officer. The CRPF deployment was made to provide security to the IRBn camp, according to the report, which also the authorities have launched a large-scale combing operation in the area to nab the attackers.

Ethnic violence between the majority Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zo community have bled Manipur since May 3, 2023, with nearly 200 people losing their lives so far. The violent clashes have left thousands displaced too.

Kuki civil society groups have, meanwhile, denied that anyone from the community was involved in the Saturday attack on CRPF personnel.