Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi/Imphal: At least 11 suspected Kuki insurgents were killed today during a fierce encounter with security forces in Manipur’s Jiribam district, sources confirmed. The altercation, which also left several Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers injured, took place in the district bordering Assam. The situation remains tense, and more updates are awaited.
The gunfight erupted after suspected Kuki militants launched a coordinated attack on a police station in Jiribam. This police station, located in Borobekra, has been the target of multiple assaults in recent months. Adjacent to it is a relief camp for internally displaced individuals, which sources suggest might have been a secondary target of the attackers.
Following the initial assault, the suspected militants advanced towards a small settlement in Jakurador Karong, approximately 1 km from the police station. They reportedly set several houses ablaze while continuing their gunfight with security forces. In response, the CRPF dispatched reinforcements to Jiribam to support ongoing operations.
Background of Rising Tensions in Jiribam
Tensions in the district have surged following a series of violent incidents. Last week, suspected Meitei insurgents killed a woman from the Hmar tribe and set houses on fire. Her husband, in a police report, alleged that she was raped before being killed. The following day, a woman from the Meitei community was shot dead by suspected Kuki militants while working in a paddy field.
Earlier today, a farmer in Imphal East District sustained injuries after suspected Kuki insurgents fired from the nearby hills. The attacks, coinciding with the paddy harvest season, have raised significant concerns among farmers, many of whom are now hesitant to work in their fields, officials noted.
CRPF’s Role and Reinforcement Measures
The CRPF, India’s largest Central Armed Police Force, has been pivotal in various anti-insurgency operations, particularly against Maoist movements in states like Jharkhand and regions such as Kaimur and Rohtas in Bihar. Their deployment in Manipur underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for heightened security to protect local communities.
In September, CRPF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manish Kumar Sachar highlighted that families residing in relief camps are eager to return to their homes, provided their safety is assured. This statement came amid ongoing concerns from the Kuki tribes over the relocation of Assam Rifles battalions from Manipur to Jammu and Kashmir.
