Manipur violence: Two police officers killed in fierce gunfight; Altercation videos surface

Manipur violence:  The Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed in response to the killing of Manipur police commando Wangkhem Somorjit, declared that the family would not accept his body until the perpetrators were apprehended and brought to justice. This statement follows a tragic incident in Tengnoupal district’s Moreh, where two police commandos lost their lives and two others were injured in a confrontation with militants.

Manipur violence: Deadly clash claims lives of police officers

The fierce gunfight erupted in Moreh, near the Myanmar border, after Manipur police commandos were ambushed by militants using a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). Subsequent attacks by the militants resulted in casualties on both sides. Wangkhem Somorjit, 32, and Takhellambam Saileshwore were the unfortunate police commandos who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Somorjit succumbed to his injuries at the Key Location Point (KLP) of Assam Rifles, where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during the morning ambush. Saileshwore, on the other hand, was fatally shot by militants in the evening. In addition, two other policemen, N Bheem, 35, and Sidharth Thokchom, suffered bullet injuries during the ambush and are currently undergoing treatment at RIMS in Imphal after being airlifted from Moreh.

Meanwhile, the video of the alleged clash was shared on social media platform X by a user named @BharatMeitei. Top India News was not able to verify the videos independently.

@official_dgar @adgpi indian army is now surrender to #KukiTerrorists from Myanmar....Now Assam rifle Vehicle is running back ...Now moreh Manipur is just like control by #KukiMilitants...moreh is like lebanon
Where is GOC of AR, @AmitShah @NBirenSingh @narendramodi @ANI pic.twitter.com/RIRQ1VmksJ

— hbmeitei (@BharatMeitei) January 17, 2024

Manipur violence: Outpouring of grief, public outcry

The tragic incident sparked public outrage, with hundreds of women protesters in Imphal West district blocking the road to the airport in a demonstration against the killing of the two police commandos. The spokesperson for the JAC emphasized that the family's refusal to accept Somorjit's body underscores the demand for swift justice and the apprehension of the culprits responsible for the attack.

Manipur violence: Accusations, emergency measures

Several Kuki groups have accused the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of targeting tribal communities in the region. In response to the escalating situation, an emergency meeting was convened at the Chief Minister’s secretariat. Presided over by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the meeting involved cabinet ministers and top police officers to address the pressing law and order issues in the northeastern state.

Manipur violence: Recent arrests linked to prior incident

In a related development, two men were arrested on Monday for their alleged involvement in the killing of Moreh SDPO Ch Anand in October of the previous year. The arrested individuals, Phillip Khongsai and Hemokholal Mate, are now in custody, facing charges related to the earlier incident.