Manipur Police has confirmed that a rifleman of the Special Commando was injured during an ambush by armed miscreants at the Indo-Myanmar border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal district on 30th December 2023. According to the Police, G Ponkhamlung was injured in his right thigh by a splinter.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT) meanwhile, accused the commandos of firing “indiscriminately” at Lhangkichoi Veng village during the gunfight with unidentified armed men, forcing civilians to run for safety.

Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal mentioned that three houses were burned down and demanded the immediate removal of the State forces from Moreh “for peace and normalcy”, alleging that the “Manipur state commandos posted in the Indo-Myanmar town of Moreh are known for their harassment, killing and enjoying pigs, dogs, chickens, ransacking properties, burning public houses and targeted firing.”

ITLF in its press release stated that the firing took place around 3:30 pm on Saturday when the Manipur commandos were heading towards the village. It also condemned “the burning of houses by trained military personnel, who are supposedly posted in the area to maintain peace and security.”

The Forum further said that tension and violence will prevail as long as armed Meitei forces are posted in tribal areas reiterating its claim that the Arambai Tenggol are “embedded among the Meitei state forces with the blessing of authorities.”

On the gunfight that took place in Nakhojang village in Kangpokpi district on 29th December 2023 where one person from the Meitei community lost his life, ITLF stated, “After hearing reports that Arambai Tenggol cadres were preparing to attack tribal settlements and were camping at Nakhojang, tribal volunteers launched a search operation and were confronted by the militants around 3:00 am.”

The Forum alleged that the deceased, Jamesbond Ningomba, was a member of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol and a journalist.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh had on Saturday said that the death of the civilian was unfortunate and condemned the incident. He maintained that some evil elements were trying to disrupt peace while various civil society organisations, government machineries, Peira Paibis were working hard to restore peace in Manipur.

Singh informed media persons that Search and combing operation were on in the area and asserted that the government will continue the operation until the perpetrators are arrested.

The Manipur CM further appealed to all the sections of the society to shun violence and come to the negotiating table for a peaceful New Year.