One Manipur police commando killed, two hurt in militant attacks in Ukhrul
Our Correspondent/NNN
Imphal, September 9
One Manipur Police commando was killed and another two wounded in two separate ambushes reportedly carried out by suspected NSCN-IM militants in Manipur’s troubled district of Ukhrul on Tuesday, according to police reports. The deadly coordinated attacks occurred at Nunshangkhong near Hundung which is 7 km from Ukhrul town towards Imphal and Sangkai village which is some 45 km from Imphal towards Ukhrul. Police said an unspecified number of suspected NSCN-IM militants launched the first attack using sophisticated weapons on a convoy of Manipur Police commando and India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel at Nunshangkhong around 9:30 am, killing one commando.
Police reports said the convoy of nearly 500 security personnel was moving towards Imphal when the attack happened at the spot which is about 7 km from Ukhrul headquarters.
Another group of heavily armed NSCN-IM militants ambushed a team of Manipur police commando and IRB personnel, who were heading for Ukhrul, at Sangkhai Kuki village, about 45 km from the capital Imphal around 10:30 am. Two police commandos were wounded in the ambush, the police said.
Commando personnel KS Thotyo, 27, resident of Riha village in Ukhrul died of his wounds after a brief treatment at the 16 Assam Rifles unit hospital at Sangsat in the district. The other two wounded were brought to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) here.
The wounded were identified as Kapminlian Mangson, 29, hailing from Tuibong Kuki village in Churachandpur district and Khumukcham Amuthoi, 33, native of Kakching Khunou of Thoubal district. Amuthoi is stated to be in critical condition. He was later referred to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for further treatment. A team of top police officials visited the two police personnel at JNIMS.
Meanwhile, Manipur government condemned the Ukhrul incident wherein one jawan belonging to 5th IRB, who was attached to Imphal West Police Commando, was killed and another two commando personnel belonging to Thoubal Police Commando were wounded in separate militant attacks on Tuesday.
So far no armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack till the report goes to the press. On July 12 this year, Ngalangzar Malue, an Autonomous District Council member of Ukhrul district was killed while his cousin and driver sustained serious injury when some unidentified gunmen ambushed near Finch corner junction also in Ukhrul district.
In a release issued by the Principal Secretary, said the Government of Manipur shares the grief and pain of the bereaved family members of those killed and wounded in two separate militant attacks in Ukhrul.
It said the Government has announced Rs 5 lakh and a Government job to the next of kin and financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to the two wounded police personnel.
Governor VK Duggal met the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Secretary at the Raj Bhavan after Tuesday’s Ukhrul attacks. It is understood that the Governor discussed various issues, apart from Ukhrul attacks at the meeting.
NPF demands President’s Rule
The State Naga People’s Front (NPF) unit continued to attack Manipur Government on Tuesday over the alleged law and order collapse in Manipur and demanded President’s Rule in the state.
Manipur NPF unit leaders who are currently in New Delhi are trying to convince the Central leadership on the need for imposing President’s Rule in the state. They submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday giving reason for NPF’s demand.
The NPF team is also set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital as part of its efforts to impress upon the two leaders on the party’s demand for imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, state NPF unit general secretary Athuan Abonmai said Tuesday.
In the memorandum to Rijiju, the NPF clearly stated that the law and order in Manipur has collapsed and the Congress Government headed by Okram Ibobi Singh is totally ineffective in protecting the life and property of the public and hence the Centre needs to invoke the article 356 of the Constitution, said Abonmai.
