IMPHAL — At least four persons including a TV Journalist and a security personnel
were injured after suspected militants fired in Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi
villages in Imphal East district on Saturday, officials said.
A police official said that the militants fired
indiscriminately at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages from the hilltop injuring
a local TV Journalist, a security personnel and two civilians.
TV Journalist L. Kabichandra sustained bullet injuries on
his left thigh.
All the injured were rushed to the hospital.
“The militants fired in the Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi
villages on Friday night and Saturday morning. These villages are situated in
Imphal East district adjoining tribal inhabited Kangpokpi district,” the
official said.
Additional security forces led by senior police officials
have rushed to the areas and launched search operations to nab the militants.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday strongly condemned
the indiscriminate firing by militants in Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi areas.
Singh, in a post on X, said, "Strongly condemn the
indiscriminate firing by Kuki militants at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi in Imphal
East, which injured civilians and security personnel.
This cowardly and unprovoked attack on innocent lives is an
assault on peace and harmony.
Adequate security personnel have been rushed to the affected
areas. The injured are receiving necessary medical assistance, and the
government calls for calm and unity in the face of such challenges.”
Central forces and state police should have proper
coordination and understanding when dealing with such situations, the chief
Minister said.
Meanwhile, search operations and area domination were
conducted by the Central and state security forces in the fringe and vulnerable
areas of hill and valley districts.
Movement of vehicles carrying essential items, food grains
and transport fuel along the two vital National Highways -- NH-37 and NH-2 --
has been ensured with adequate security.
Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable
locations and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches in order to
ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.
In a separate incident, seven acres of illegal poppy
cultivation were destroyed by a combined team of security forces and forest
department officials at T. Lhanghoimol areas in Manipur's Churachandpur
district on Friday.
