On October 31, a Manipur cop, Chingtham Anand Kumar, MPS, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Moreh was killed while on duty overseeing the cleaning of the grounds of Eastern Shine School, Moreh for construction of helipad, jointly by State force and BSF.
According to the Manipur Police, Kumar was a resident of Haobam Marak Chingtham Leikai, Imphal who “was martyred in a firing incident by armed Kuki miscreants while he was on duty”.
On a post on X, the Manipur Police has strongly condemned the attack. “Further, 03(three) escort personnel of an IGP of Manipur Police sustained bullet injury at Tengnoupal District while proceeding towards Moreh for reinforcement. They have been evacuated safely to Imphal for medical treatment,” informed the Manipur Police.
The Manipur Cabinet has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 50 lakh as compensation for the death of Chingtham Anand Kumar, MPS considering the special duty in a special area. It also assured to provide a ’suitable government employment’ to the next-of-kin of the deceased martyr.
Following the killing, an emergency meeting of the Cabinet was held yesterday in the Chief Minister’s Office, informed a DIPR report. The meeting deliberated upon the emergent law and order situation arising in the State in the aftermath of the killing of Chingtham Anand Kumar, MPS, SDPO, Moreh. In the meeting, the Cabinet noted that both sides of the ethnic conflict had been exercising restraint and peace has been maintained for the past one-and-half to two months.
Condemning the killing, the Cabinet directed for launching a joint operation in Moreh and adjoining areas to nab the culprits responsible for the crime, and to continue the same till the culprits are arrested. The Cabinet also noted that additional State forces have been detailed from Imphal for the purpose, which has since started.
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The Cabinet further directed that the Central and State forces to ensure free movement of transportation and general public along Pallel-Moreh road on NH-102. “It was further decided that no illegal armed personnel shall be permitted in or around Moreh, considering the strategic position of Moreh town under India’s Act East Policy,” stated the report by DIPR.
In view of the incident leading to killing of a senior police officer, the Cabinet also recommended for the declaration of the ‘World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC)’ as an unlawful association/organization under section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The Manipur Cabinet highlighted that the WKZIC had issued a press release on October 24 calling upon the Kuki-Zo community that during this November, before the harvesting season, the community will face another war; and arms and ammunition should therefore be in sufficient stock. In this regard, an FIR has already been lodged against the organization on October 31.
