The advance convoy which went a day ahead of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s scheduled visit to violence affected Jiribam district was ambushed by Kuki militants on Monday, resulting in the injury of a driver and personnel of CID (Security).
The incident occurred around 10.30 am on NH 37 at a U-turn located between Kotlen and K Senam under New Keithelmanbi Police Station in Kangpokpi District. The spot is situated at a distance of around 26 kilometres from Imphal.
One Y Bankim, a personnel from VIP Protection Group told the Imphal Free Press that the advance security convoy of the CM was led by CO of 1st MR S Ibomcha. The convoy was led by two Scorpio BPs and followed by Tata Yodha (MN01AA5875), Jammer Car, Bolero (MN01AG/1320), and CM’s BMW Car besides Tata Winger(MN04P/1433) which was trailed by the remaining escort vehicles under CO S Ibomcha.
As the convoy was reaching the U-turn near K Senam Village, the Kuki militants launched the ambush by using LMG and AK rifles. The Kuki militants also hurled abuses by mentioning the word ‘Meitei’.
The convoy team also retaliated and exchanged gunfire with the Kuki militants for about 20 minutes. A civil driver of Bolero (MN01AG-1320) and one personnel of CID(Security) who was riding on Tata Winger(MN04P-1433) sustained injuries in the attack.
The injured civil driver has been identified as one Moirangthem Ajesh alias Bobo ,32, son of M Shyamjai of Thanga Ngaram Leikai. He is receiving treatment at Shija Hospital. The injured personnel is Ershad Ushman Khan ,30, son of Shahabuddin of Minuthong Golapati Maning. He is being treated at RIMS.
Immediately upon receiving alerts, additional security forces from Imphal were sent in at the ambush site. The team comprised ADGP (Law and Order) L Kailun, DIG N Herojit, SO Imphal West Ksh Shivakanta, additional SP Amit and DSP Cdo P Achouba. The additional team along with CRPF personnel carried out search operations, during which four bunkers of the Kuki militants were found and destroyed.
Vehicles moving on NH-37 were halted during the search operations. However, when the additional security forces arrived at the site, the area was found deserted and villagers had fled into CRPF camps.
The search operations concluded around 3 pm. As per sources, Police received reports that the Kuki militants had fled on two Shaktiman trucks.
Besides the advance team led by CO S Ibomcha, the additional forces led by ADGP L Kailun, DIG N Herojit, additional SP Amit and teams of DSP Cdo P Achouba have proceeded towards K Senam area around 3. 30 pm ahead of CM’s jiribam visit on Tuesday.
