Manipur Police Step Up Intelligence Ops After Deadly Clashes and IED Blast
Four dead and several injured in Manipur following communal clashes, an IED blast, and an ambush. ADGP Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo vows strict action.
The state of Manipur has been gripped by a fresh wave of violence, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries. In response, the state police have intensified intelligence-based operations to track down perpetrators following a series of communal clashes, an IED explosion, and a brutal ambush on villagers.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo, during a press conference, detailed the sequence of events that have shaken the region, emphasizing that security forces are treating the matter with the utmost concern.
Chaos at Khangabok: Musical Night Turns Violent
The unrest began late on the night of October 18 in the Thoubal district. According to ADGP Lhatoo, a musical night at Khangabok Pali Bazar was disrupted around 11:20 pm when unidentified individuals began pelting stones, sparking immediate tension between two communities.
The situation rapidly spiraled out of control as rival groups from Khangabok and Sangakpham became involved. The confrontation escalated from stone-pelting to gunfire. By 12:40 am, one person succumbed to bullet injuries at Raj Medicity, while several others were wounded.
To quell the violence, a massive deployment of forces was initiated. The Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Assam Rifles were rushed to the scene, eventually bringing the situation under control by approximately 1:50 am on October 19. Police are currently questioning witnesses and conducting raids to seize illegal weapons from the area.
IED Blast Targets Security Personnel
While the clashes in Thoubal were unfolding, another attack struck Imphal West. At approximately 11:41 pm, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated at Kakwa Lamdaibung Lampak, near the Singjamai police station.
The blast left three CRPF personnel seriously injured. The victims were immediately rushed to Raj Medicity for emergency treatment. ADGP Lhatoo stated that investigators are pursuing several leads and expressed confidence that the culprits would be brought to justice under the law.
Ambush in the Hills: Villagers Targeted
The violence continued into Monday morning in the hill ranges of Imphal East. Around 9:40 am, a group of 14 Meitei villagers were engaged in cutting and transporting firewood near Sunulok Hill in the Tangkhul area, under the jurisdiction of the Sagolmang police station.
Unidentified armed militants opened fire on the group, killing three people on the spot. Three other villagers sustained injuries and were evacuated for medical treatment. The police have already received various inputs regarding the identity of the attackers.
State-Wide Security Crackdown
In the wake of these "heinous crimes," the Manipur police have reinforced security grids across all vulnerable districts. The state has deployed a multi-agency approach to prevent further escalation, utilizing:
- Aerial Surveillance: Monitoring hotspots from the air to detect movement.
- Specialized Tracking: Using dedicated units to hunt for militants and criminals.
- Joint Patrols: Combined teams of Police, CoBRAs, CRPF, Assam Rifles, and BSF.
- K9 Units: Deployment of sniffer dogs to locate explosives and contraband.
ADGP Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo vowed that after a thorough investigation and due process, all necessary actions will be taken to punish those responsible. He assured the public that the situation is being monitored closely and that priority is being given to intelligence-led operations to neutralize threats.