GUWAHATI: Suspected tribal militants rained gunfire from hilltops on two villages in restive Manipur’s Imphal West district Sunday, killing a 31-year-old mom and an unidentified particular person in an assault that led the N Biren Singh govt to time period it “an act of making havoc to derail peace efforts”. 5 folks, together with two police personnel and the slain girl’s eight-year-old daughter, had been wounded.
The militants used RPGs, drones to drop explosives, and complex firearms within the assault, primarily focusing on Koutruk and Kadangband Half II villages, officers mentioned.
The government did not establish the militant outfit that it suspected to be behind the newest occasion of violence in a state that has seen frequent killings, rioting, and arson because the ethnic battle erupted in Might final yr. A complete of 24 Kuki rebel teams signed agreements for suspension of operations with the Centre and state in 2008.
The lady killed within the assault was recognized as Ngangbam Surbala.
Manipur Police mentioned the militants used drones to deploy explosives, marking “a major escalation” in hostilities. It mentioned the involvement of extremely skilled professionals, backed by technical experience and assist, could not be dominated out.
Villagers of Koutruk mentioned explosives dropped from drones broken the roofs of some homes. Firing continued for a number of hours from midday until late afternoon from the hills, police mentioned.
DGP Rajiv Singh ordered all district SPs to be on most alert and joint combing operations with state and central forces. A contingent of Central Armed Police Power and state personnel have been deployed within the affected zone.
Koutruk has a inhabitants of round 300 whereas Kadangband Half II has double the variety of inhabitants.
The assault got here a day after police arrested a militant of the UPPK, a faction of PREPAK, from Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district. He was recognized as Nameirakpam Ningthou Metei. One other particular person was held for extortion within the identify of an armed outfit.
State BJP spokesperson T Michael Lamjathang Haokip’s home was vandalised and set ablaze in tribal-dominant Churachandpur district Saturday. It was the third assault on his home because the ethnic violence flared up.
The arson coincided with protests by tribal teams towards chief minister Biren Singh, who they blamed accountable for the persevering with disaster. The protesters cited a leaked audio clip that state govt calls “doctored” to slam CM for his insurance policies.
