Imphal, Sept. 9:
The Manipur government’s move to offer an olive branch to sponsors of
the indefinite bandh in Naga-inhabited areas by withdrawing additional
security forces from Ukhrul town took a hit this morning when suspected
NSCN (Isak-Muivah) militants sprung twin ambushes in Ukhrul district,
leaving one police commando dead and two injured.
The deceased was identified as
Haoreiyo. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to Imphal while the
other two personnel, Khumukcham Amuthoi, 33, and Naminthang Namsong, 27,
were admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences
here. Amuthoi’s condition is said to be serious. All the three are
constables.
The security
personnel were returning from Ukhrul town, 65km northeast of Imphal,
following orders issued last evening by the state government on the
suggestion of Union home minister Rajnath Singh to create a conducive
situation that could lead to lifting of the six-day-old bandh called by
the United Naga Council (UNC).
Though no militant
group has claimed responsibility for the attack, police suspect the
hand of the NSCN (I-M) because the sites of the ambushes are stronghold
of the group, which is in ceasefire and talks with the government. The
truce is not applicable to Manipur, but both the central and state
forces avoid action against the outfit in view of the ongoing peace
talks between the group and Centre.
Chief minister
Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, who is also the
home minister, briefed governor V.K. Duggal on the law and order
situation in the wake of today’s ambush. Before meeting the governor,
Gaikhangam reviewed the situation in Ukhrul with Congress legislators
elected from the district.
Police said
militants, lying in wait on hilltops ambushed the two convoys almost
simultaneously at 9.30am at Mahadeva, 20km from Imphal, and Hundung,
40km from Imhal, on the Imphal-Ukhrul road. The first convoy to come
under attack at Mahadeva was a team of police commandos sent from Imphal
to Ukhrul as road-opening patrol for the convoy returning from Ukhrul.
The commandos returned fire and the exchange lasted for about 10
minutes.
As the exchange of
fire was on, another group of militants sprung an ambush on a combined
team of police commandos and India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel
returning from Ukhrul at Hundung, about 20km east of Mahadeva. Haoreiyo
was injured in the second ambush.
The combined team
of commandos and IRB numbering about 500 was being led by deputy
inspector-general (Range-1) Bilchandra Sharma and was on its way to
Imphal.
These forces had
been deployed after the killing of Ukhrul Autonomous District Council
member Ngalangzar Malue, 65, by suspected NSCN (I-M) cadres in Ukhrul on
July 12. The UNC, apex body of the Nagas, called an indefinite bandh in
the Naga areas from Thursday demanding withdrawal of the state forces
and prohibitory orders.
The bandh has
affected supplies of essential commodities to Manipur as the two key
highways connecting the state to the outside world pass through the
Naga-inhabited areas.
Though both
security forces and the prohibitory orders were withdrawn, the UNC was
yet to take a decision on calling off its bandh.
The government has
not decided whether to do a rethink on the pullout after today’s twin
ambushes. The chief minister is expected to review the situation with
security agencies before taking any decision.
Official sources
said the government was prepared to take up the issue of NSCN (I-M)’s
activities in Manipur with the Centre for possible flush-out operations.
Intelligence sources said cadres of the outfit were operating in the district in the absence of any ceasefire.
Sources said
though the army, Assam Rifles and state forces carried out operations
from time to time against other militant groups numbering more than 30,
they were avoiding action against the NSCN (I-M) lest the talks are
jeopardised.
Manipur govt had pulled out forces after centre’s nudge
April 9, 2014: Suspected NSCN-IM cadres ambush Deputy Speaker M.K. Presho Shimray in Ukhrul on
voting day for Outer
Manipur parliamentary constituency. Shimray
escapes unhurt
July 12, 2014: Suspected NSCN-IM
militants ambush Ukhrul Autonomous District Council member Ngalangzar Malue,
killing him on the spot
Nov. 13, 2011: Suspected NSCN-IM cadres ambush education minister D.D. Thaisii in Senapati district. He
escapes unhurt
April. 15, 2011:
Suspected NSCN-IM rebels ambush Independent MLA Wungnaoshang
Keishing in Ukhrul. Six Manipur Rifles personnel escorting the MLA and
a driver killed on
the spot
the spot
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