Situation in Moreh may deteriorate further: Manipur government tells Centre

IMPHAL: The Manipur government has told the Centre that renewed tensions in Moreh might escalate and situation in the border town may deteriorate in the near future.

“In view of the prevalent situation, situation may deteriorate further in Moreh,” an official communique from the Manipur home commissioner to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) reads.

It added: “The law and order situation at the border town of Moreh has become a matter of serious concern as there have been continuous exchange of fire taking place.”

The Manipur government official made this observation while requesting the Centre of air services for transportation of man and materials to Moreh.

“Police department has also informed that there is also need for airlifting of security personnel, ammunition etc. to Moreh,” the Manipur home commissioner stated in his letter to the MHA.

“It is, therefore, requested that MHA may kindly provide MHA Air Asset (Helicopter) to the State Government and place it at Imphal immediately from today, 17.01.2024 onwards for at least a period of 7 days to meet the emergency requirements,” the communique further said.

Also read: Manipur violence: CBI files charge-sheet against five in arms loot case

Notably, there has been escalation of violence in the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh in Manipur.

A day after a total curfew was imposed in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, fresh violence erupted on Wednesday (January 17) morning as security forces exchanged fire with suspected Kuki militants in the border town of Moreh.

The gunfight resulted in the death of a police commando.

According to numerous reports, the suspected Kuki militants threw bombs and fired at a security post near SBI Moreh.

In retaliatory fire, the commando got hit by a bullet, who has been identified as W Somorjit.  

Three IRB personnel also sustained injuries in the attacks.

One of the injured persons was identified as Md. Kamal Hussain of Sangaiyumpha village of Thoubal district, a report said.

Also read: Four rebels including a female arrested in Manipur

Amidst an indefinite curfew imposed in the entire Tengnoual district, the attacks were launched by the well-armed militants at the IRB post near Ima Kongdong Lairembi, Moreh, D Khunai post, near the SBI building, Moreh, Moreh police station, and Muslim Busti, Moreh.

The attacks started at 3:30 am at the IRB post near Kondong Lairembi, Moreh while the security men were sleeping.

The militants fired at the police near Ward 7. The gunfight lasted for over an hour.

The injured were rushed to the Assam Rifles medical camp at Moreh.

Later the slain jawan and injured were airlifted from Moreh to a hospital at Imphal.

The violence comes two days after two people suspected of killing a police officer were arrested in Moreh.

On Monday, the duo was arrested in connection with the killing of Chingtham Anand Kumar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Moreh on October 31, 2023.

There are inputs that there is the likelihood of a breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquility, and grave danger to human lives and property within the revenue jurisdiction of Tengnoupal district prompting the total curfew imposition from 12 am of January 16, 2024, an official order states.