Manipur: In view of the recent surge in violence in Manipur, including the recent drone and rocket attacks, the state police have deployed anti-drone systems in the region and are in the process of purchasing more anti-drone systems and anti-drone guns. An army helicopter is patrolling the region and combing operations are being conducted to prevent further attacks. This comes after five people were killed in the Jirbham district on Saturday, the latest incident of violence in the northeast state.
The Saturday exchange of fire began after a person, who lived alone at an isolated location, around five kilomteres from the district administration headquarters, was shot dead in his sleep by militants. Subsequently, an exchange of fire began between people of two warring communities. Four others were killed in this heavy firing exchange, including three hill-based militants, a police officer told news agency PTI.
Explosives, Grenades & Arms Recovered In Combing Operations
In another development, the security forces on Friday destroyed three bunkers of militants in Churachandpur district after insurgents launched rocket attacks in Bishnupur, killing one and injuring six others. They also conducted two combing operations during which multiple sophisticated arms and ammunitions, grenades, and explosives were recovered.
"Today morning, in two combing operations, a good number of sophisticated arms and ammunitions, explosives, grenades were recovered... Combing operations are aimed at preventing further attacks from the suspected areas... A total of nine sophisticated arms, 21 different types of ammunition, 21 explosives, grenades, and a wireless set were recovered," IGP Intelligence K Kabib said.
He further spoke about today's attack that claimed the life of a civilian. "Today, early morning, suspected Kuki militants attacked Nungchappi village under Jiribham district incident in which one 63-year-old civilian was killed. The armed miscreants continued the firing and forwarding near Rashidpur village. The volunteers of the village confronted and there was an exchange of fire... SP Jiribham and his team rushed to the spot...retaliated and controlled the firing... There was a report of one Bachaspatimayum Lakhikanta Sharma, 41-year-old of Dibong Khunou Jiribham... Later while searching the general area where the firing took place, three dead bodies of the miscreants were found. The details of the miscreants are yet to be ascertained," he added.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh met Governor L Acharya in Imphal after an emergency meeting of ruling coalition MLAs and ministers to discuss the law and order situation amid fresh incidents of violence in the state. In the past five days, seven people have been killed and over 15 others have been injured in the violent attacks.
Social Media Monitoring Cell Activated To Check Instigators
Kabib also informed about the heightened security in the region and the steps being taken by the forces to bring the situation under control. "State police are reviewing the security situation and deployment very closely with the help of other forces. The senior officers are deployed on the ground. Our ADG and IG are deployed on the ground in Bishnupur, Jiribham, and Imphal... An anti-drone system is deployed... State police are in the process of purchasing more anti-drone systems and anti-drone guns... An army chopper is also patrolling... We have activated our social media monitoring cell to check the instigators," he said.
He pointed out at the involvement of certain instigators who play with the public's emotions and create lawlessness in the state. "We are identifying them and we are warning that they will be identified under relevant sections and will be booked if necessary. Strict actions of booking them under scheduled acts and handing them over to central agencies will also be taken."
The IGP further stated that the combing operations have been intensified on both the valley and the hills, targeting long-range rockets and drones. "The combing operations will cover a minimum of 3-5 km... The 'nakas' are also being strengthened," he added.
Earlier this week, another fresh arson took place in Jirbhan after some village volunteers allegedly set a three-room house of a retired police officer on fire. The incident occurred in Jakuradhor in the Borobekra police station area. Tribal body Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (Pherzawl and Jiribam) denied any involvement in the incident, PTI reported.