Manipur: Security Forces, Militants Exchange Fire After 2 Arrested In Moreh Cop Killing

Suspected Kuki militants and security forces exchanged fire on Wednesday after two suspects were arrested for the killing of a cop in October last year.

Security forces and suspected Kuki militants exchanged fire in Manipur's Moreh/Representational Image ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Security forces and suspected Kuki militants exchanged fire in the border town of Moreh in Manipur's Tengnoupal district on Wednesday morning, police said, as per a PTI report. 

The militants hurled bombs and fired at a post of security forces near SBI Moreh, the police said, adding that the security forces fired in retaliation, as per the report. 

A security personnel sustained minor injuries during the gunfight but details are yet to be confirmed, they added. 

The exchange of fire began after the suspected Kuki militants fired at the security forces 48 hours after two suspects in the killing of a police officer in October were arrested by state forces in the border town, according to the police, the report stated.

Earlier, the Manipur government had imposed a total curfew from 12 am on January 16 following inputs of "likelihood of breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquillity and grave danger to human lives and property within the revenue jurisdiction of Tengnoupal". 

As per the order by Tengnoupal District Magistrate, the curfew would, however, not apply to "agencies of the government employed in the enforcement of law and order and maintenance of essential services".

Meanwhile, citing a report, the news agency stated that vounteers in Koutruk village of Imphal West district exchanged fire with suspected Kuki militants for more than two hours on Tuesday night, officials said.

The attackers halted the firing after Central security forces rushed to the area, the report added quoting officials as saying. 

Two main suspects, Phillip Khongsai and Hemokholal Mate, were arrested by the police in the killing of SDPO Ch Anand in October last year. The two had opened fire at the vehicles of the security personnel following which police chased and overpowered them.

Both the suspects were produced before the Judicial Magistrate Moreh and have been remanded to nine days police custody, police said.