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IMPHAL: Militants struck simultaneously at multiple security outposts in Manipur’s Moreh township bordering Myanmar early Wednesday, killing two police commandos and wounding three in yet another shock-and-awe assault.
The coordinated onslaught involved rocket-propelled grenades and incessant gunfire against the backdrop of several houses going up in flames in the conflict-torn township of Tengnoupal district, the epicentre of violence in Manipur since the end of last year.
Two fire engines from neighbouring Myanmar crossed the border and doused the flames engulfing houses at Kanan Veng in Moreh Ward 3 and another cluster of homes near Moreh Hospital, sources said.
As news of the deaths spread, a large number of women took to the streets of Imphal to protest BJP-led government’s alleged failure to rein in the militants attacking security forces in the township repeatedly.
Some of them attempted to storm the bungalows of CM N Biren Singh and governor Anusuiya Uikey but were stopped by police.
The attacks came a day after Philip Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, two Moreh residents arrested for killing subdivisional police officer Chingtham Anand last year, were remanded in custody for nine days.
One of the slain commandos was Havildar Takhellambam Saileshwor of 1st India Reserve Battalion. He was from Lamsang in Imphal West district and goalkeeper of Manipur Police Sports Club team. The other casualty was Wangkhem Somorjit Meitei of Manipur Rifles’ 6 Bn.
“We were having a group video call around 9am when our kaka (uncle) Saileshwor said his group had come under attack, with bombs and bullets raining on them from different sides at Moreh. He said one of his colleagues was injured before the call ended,” said Prashanta Takhellambam, a nephew of the deceased commando.
He had left home for Moreh on January 5 after a break, Prashanta said.
A joint action committee set up by Malom residents in protest against Somorjit’s killing decided not to accept his body until government arrested those responsible for his death.
The home department requisitioned helicopter assistance from the Centre to meet what it called an “emergency requirement” in Moreh. Home commissioner T Ranjit said in a letter to MHA that “the law-and-order situation in the border town has become a matter of serious concern”.
The coordinated onslaught involved rocket-propelled grenades and incessant gunfire against the backdrop of several houses going up in flames in the conflict-torn township of Tengnoupal district, the epicentre of violence in Manipur since the end of last year.
Two fire engines from neighbouring Myanmar crossed the border and doused the flames engulfing houses at Kanan Veng in Moreh Ward 3 and another cluster of homes near Moreh Hospital, sources said.
As news of the deaths spread, a large number of women took to the streets of Imphal to protest BJP-led government’s alleged failure to rein in the militants attacking security forces in the township repeatedly.
Some of them attempted to storm the bungalows of CM N Biren Singh and governor Anusuiya Uikey but were stopped by police.
The attacks came a day after Philip Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, two Moreh residents arrested for killing subdivisional police officer Chingtham Anand last year, were remanded in custody for nine days.
One of the slain commandos was Havildar Takhellambam Saileshwor of 1st India Reserve Battalion. He was from Lamsang in Imphal West district and goalkeeper of Manipur Police Sports Club team. The other casualty was Wangkhem Somorjit Meitei of Manipur Rifles’ 6 Bn.
“We were having a group video call around 9am when our kaka (uncle) Saileshwor said his group had come under attack, with bombs and bullets raining on them from different sides at Moreh. He said one of his colleagues was injured before the call ended,” said Prashanta Takhellambam, a nephew of the deceased commando.
He had left home for Moreh on January 5 after a break, Prashanta said.
A joint action committee set up by Malom residents in protest against Somorjit’s killing decided not to accept his body until government arrested those responsible for his death.
The home department requisitioned helicopter assistance from the Centre to meet what it called an “emergency requirement” in Moreh. Home commissioner T Ranjit said in a letter to MHA that “the law-and-order situation in the border town has become a matter of serious concern”.
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