At least one person was reportedly killed while five others left injured in a bomb attack carried out by People’s Defence Force (PDF) towards the cadres of an underground group of Manipur at Min Thar under Sagaing Region, in between Border Pillar 90-91 of Myanmar around 4 am on Wednesday.
As per sources, the deceased cadre is one Naorem Naocha alias Kohe, 37, son of N Kala of Yairipok Top Mathak Leikai. Of the five injured, one is in critical condition.
Naocha was earlier arrested by security forces and had been in Guwahati jail. He rejoined the group after completing his jail time. Lamlong Khunou and Namlee villages under Kamjong district which lie near the border pillar where the incident happened.
As per sources, SP Kamjong P Manjit, OC Kasom Khullen Marchang Wungmahai and some villagers went across the border to follow up the incident from Namlee side. There have been no latest reports of the team led by SP returning back to the border till late evening on Wednesday.
Villagers of Namlee heard sounds of numerous bomb explosions across the border after the incident, sources said.
Meanwhile, another valley-based UG outfit reportedly exchanged a gunfight with People’s Democratic Front (PDF) at Thanan in Myanmar around noon on Wednesday.
As per sources, the gunfight took place at a spot near Indo-Myanmar, Border Pillar No 93.
Thanan in Myanmar is located close to Kangpat Khulle in Kamjong district, Manipur.
On the Myanmar crisis Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “We have reinforced security presence in our borders, and we are monitoring the situation...not only the Assam Rifles but state security forces, BSF and CRPF have been deployed.”
CM Biren was speaking to media-persons on the sidelines of a function in Imphal.
The CM said that the state government has deployed additional security forces along the Indo-Myanmar border in the wake of reports of clashes between the Myanmar Army and the resistance groups on the Myanmar side near the border for the last few days.
On the incident of fresh violence in the state, CM said destruction of the prefabricated houses are unfortunate. “Now, we have provided security and reconstruction will be started again. In the last 1-2 months, normally has been restored in most parts of the state except for 1-2 incidents. We condemn these acts. We should work together to restore normalcy in Manipur,” the CM said.
Earlier, as many as 40 Myanmar army personnel, including two officers, crossed the border and fled into Mizoram for their lives following an attack by Myanmar’s ethnic armed organisations.
They were airlifted from Zokhawthar to the 5th Assam Rifles Helipad in Moreh Town, Tengnoupal district and dropped off at Tamu, Myanmar.
It may also be mentioned that New Delhi has advised all Indian nationals living in Myanmar, except short-term tourists, to register themselves with the Embassy of India in Yangon.
Last week, India had expressed deep concern at fighting between Myanmar’s anti-junta groups and government forces close to the country’s border, which resulted in Myanmar nationals seeking refuge in Mizoram, and pushed for a cessation of violence and a constructive dialogue.
“We reiterate our call for the return of peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing while responding to questions on the recent fighting.
Bagchi had said India’s position on the situation in Myanmar “is very clear – we want cessation of the violence and resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue.”
According to the UN, the intensified fighting since last month has displaced about 90,000 people.
