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Manipur Chief Minister Biren pays homage to slain SDPO
IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren Singh, today paid his last respect to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Manipur Police, who was killed in a strike by suspected militants at Moreh, a commercial border town, yesterday.
Singh along with ministers including L Sushindro (PHED), Dr. S Ranjan (Health), H Dingo (Social Welfare), Th Basanta (Education), Khashim Vashum (Transport), MLAs including Dinganglung Gangmei (Nungba), Kh Ibomcha (Lamlai), Th Shanti (Moirang), S Kunjakeswor (Patsoi) led the senior police officers in laying wreaths to the mortal remains of the martyred SDPO at the Manipur police memorial at 1st battalion Manipur Rifles premises this afternoon.
Speaking to reporters after the wreath laying ceremony, Singh said, “The government took the act of killing an officer in a cold-blooded manner seriously.” He added that a combined team of security forces have already started joint combing operations at Moreh to nab the culprits involved in the cowardly act.
Later, Singh wrote on X (formerly twitter), “Paid humble tributes and deepest respects to Shri Chingtham Anand Kumar, MPS, SDPO, Moreh, who was martyred in the line of duty. Manipur has lost a true son of the soil today, but your sacrifices for the nation will not go in vain. I pray for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.”
Top officers including state’s security advisor, Kuldiep Singh, from state Police as well as Assam Rifles and CRPF took part in the wreath laying ceremony and paid tributes to the martyred SDPO. Besides officers, a number of mourners including relatives also participated in the day’s wreath laying ceremony.
Meanwhile, state security advisor, Kuldiep Singh, said that a team of Manipur police commandos have been sent to Moreh town by road after removing the blockades on the route yesterday (Tuesday) itself.
Informing that they have also identified the person and group involved in the incident at Moreh, the former CRPF chief said, “Investigation is on. We hope that we will be able to arrest them very quickly.”
“On 31.10.2023, Chingtham Anand Kumar, MPS, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Moreh, a resident of Haobam Marak Chingtham Leikai, Imphal was martyred in a firing incident by armed Kuki miscreants while he was on duty overseeing the cleaning of the grounds of Eastern Shine School, Moreh, for construction of helipad jointly by state force and BSF. Manipur Police strongly condemns this dastardly attack,” the Manipur police control room said in a press release on Tuesday night.
“Further three escort personnel of an IGP of Manipur police sustained bullet injury at Tengnoupal district while proceeding towards Moreh for reinforcement. They have been evacuated safely to Imphal for medical treatment,” the release added.
Manipur Governor, Anusuiya Uikey, has conveyed her condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed for peace of the departed soul.