In what could be termed a simple ‘patrolling operation’ rather than a combing operation, a combined force of state forces and one column of the 20th JAT Regiment conducted a cordoned and search operation (CASO) at the general areas of Leimakhong Chingmang and Kanto Sabal in Imphal West.
During the operation, the JAT personnel did not allow state forces and media teams to accompany the operation when entering bunkers built in Kuki inhabited areas around Leimakhong Chingmang.
According to personnel who took part in the operation, the JAT personnel did not allow Manipur Police personnel to enter bunkers built in Kuki inhabited areas, citing the safety of the state police personnel.
"The combined team searched several bunkers built on both Meitei and Kuki villages, in which the JAT regiment did not allow state forces to accompany them when entering the Kuki side,” he said.
Speaking to the media regarding the conduct of the whole operation, a villager of Engourok Chingmang Cooperative Leikai questioned why the central personnel did not allow state forces to accompany them in their search operation in Kuki villages.
“What kind of a combined search operation is this if the press and the state forces are not allowed to take part in it,” he questioned.
He highlighted that the team did not verify any residents during the whole operation and was solely focused on visiting only the bunkers built in Meitei and Kuki areas. We do not know the reason for this, he added.
He mentioned that five houses that were recently burned down in the Kanto Sabal area also occurred after the army intervened.
“The Meiteis were not attacking anyone that day, but the army ordered us to stop shooting, which was pointless, and just after they intervened, the houses started burning, including one Naga household,” he said.
It may be mentioned that Kuki miscreants burned down five houses at Leimakhong Chingmang area and personnel of the 20th JAT regiment were also injured by a stray bullet from suspected Kuki miscreants.
Catching a whiff of the conduct of the operation, several blocked the Leimakhong main road and shouted various slogans against the army and their reported bias during the conduct of the operation.
The operation was conducted by teams of OC Sekmai Police Ng Johnson Kishorchand, two teams of CDO Imphal West, one team of SekmaiPolice,e and one columnof thef 20th JAT Regiment under the aegis of DSP (CDO) Imphal West.
No arms were recovered, nor arrests made during the whole operation.
