The chief minister’s office reiterated that it issued an alert about the movement of about 200 Kuki-Zo militants from Churachandpur towards Jiribam as early as January this year to the security establishment, no longer in control of the chief minister.
Based on intelligence reports and a despatch from Jiribam police, CM office alerted state DGP and Advisor (Security) about the militant movement twice.
By that time, the chief minister was no longer in command of the Unified Command on instructions of the then Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Both the Advisor Security Kuldeip Singh and state DGP was appointed by the Central government after the May 3 clashes broke out in the state.
The Manipur government on Sunday requested the Police department to submit a report on how violence flared up in Jiribam district and the actions taken in connection with instructions issued earlier on various occasions regarding the security measures in Jiribam district.
Issuing directions to submit the report by Tuesday, it also requested the Home Department to follow up on the matter, as per a statement.
It mentioned that on January 15, reports of about 200 armed Kuki-Zo militants who have moving from Churachandpur and reached Phaitol Village, Old and New Kaiphundai area of Tamenglong district bordering Jiribam district were received, and the director general of police was requested to take all necessary security measures in order to prevent any untoward incident, as well as to respond to threats posed by the group.
It stated that on January 27, the director general of police was requested to take adequate measures in view of incidents of gun fire reported in Jiribam on December 31, 2023, January 1, 2024 and also on January 21, 2024. Adequate measures were also sought considering reports of movement of armed miscreants from Churachandpur towards Vangai Range bordering areas of Jiribam. The possibility of miscreants cutting off supply lines to Imphal valley via Jiribam was also alerted.
It requested the DGP to take up effective counter measures including domination of strategic locations using Central Forces/State Forces.
As per the statement, Jiribam Police had alerted on January 21 that gun firing occurred at Durgapur (Lamtaikhunou) village, and requested for providing 2 convoys of CAPF for elaborate security development in Jiribam and Borobekra Sub-divisions, Jiribam for maintaining law and order.
It also stated that on January 31, the Police department was instructed to take all necessary steps in regard to reports received of the possibility of attempting to loot arms and ammunition of 7 IRB located in Jiribam district.
The ‘confidential’ letter from the Chief Minister office indicated a failure on the part of Advisor (Security) and DGP to act on the intelligence input provided. It remains to be seen, how the Union Home Ministry reacts to the tussle.
