Police recover van believed to be used by attackers
Friday’s ambush that killed two jawans of Assam Rifles and injured five others triggered widespread protest in restive Manipur on Saturday.
Two jawans of the 33 Assam Rifles were killed and five others were injured when a group of armed miscreants ambushed a vehicle of the paramilitary force in Nambol Sabal Leikai area in Bishnupur district on Friday evening.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far even security forces along with the police launched search operations for the attackers were going on.
A police source said that a van suspected to be used by the attackers in the ambush was recovered from Ishok Makha Leikai, a place around 13 km from the ambush site today morning.
The police were tracing the real owner of the vehicle after they reportedly picked up three persons, including the first owner of the vehicle, who had sold out the vehicles in 2017.
The other two were the second and third owner of the vehicles and the police were searching for the fourth person, the latest owner of the vehicle, who had purchased the vehicle from the third owner, the source said.
Meanwhile, denouncing the deadly ambush locals in Nambol where the ambush had taken place staged protests today.
At the concluding part of the sit-in-protest, the protesters marched through the streets along the Tidim Road (NH-150 now renamed as NH-2) while chanting various slogans condemning gun violence at public places. “We condemn the attack on public places,” read one of the placards displayed by the protesters.
“We strongly condemn the incident killing two AR jawans and injuring five of them. The firing incident could have injured civilians,” said a protestor.
She said that the tragic incident has caused fear and panic to residents and such acts should be avoided.
Similar protests were also held at Hiyangthang, Mayang Imphal and other places of Bishnupur and Imphal West district.
Meanwhile, the Manipur government announced Rs five lakhs each to be paid as ex-gratia for the two Assam Rifles soldiers who died in Friday’s ambush and Rs two lakh each for the five injured personnel .
A government release signed by commissioner (home) N Ashok Kumar said “The government of Manipur is deeply concerned about the recent incident of ambush on personnel of 33 Assam Rifles on September 19, in which two personnel were martyred and five others were injured.”
The state government strongly condemned the incident and expresses deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in “this cowardly act” and wishes “speedy recovery” of the injured, it said.
“In recognition of the sacrifices made by the family of the deceased, the government announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs for those who succumbed to injuries (deaths) and Rs 2 lakhs for those who sustained grievous injuries,” it read.
Additionally, the government will extend all necessary support during their treatment and rehabilitation” release added.
Mention may be made that in the deadly ambush on Friday, Junior Commissioned Officer Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung (58) of Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills and rifleman (GD) Kashav (29) of Chhattisgarh, were martyred on the spot, while five other AR personnel were injured.
A solemn wreath-laying ceremony, paying rich tribute to both the fallen bravehearts of Assam Rifles, was organized at Mantripukhri Garrison in Imphal by HQ IGAR (South), before sending the bodies to their native places, marking their last journey to their homes.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Balla led top officials of the Assam Rifles, Army and police in paying respect to the mortal remains of the two brave soldiers.
A general salute was accorded as a mark of honour to the departed soldiers.
Manipur Governor reviews security situation aftermath ambush
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Balla on Saturday reviewed security situation in the restive state in the backdrop of deadly ambush that killed two soldiers of Assam Rifles in Bishnupur district on Friday evening.
The review meeting held at Imphal Raj Bhavan, Imphal this evening was attended by state chief secretary, security advisor, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, GOC 3 Corps, commissioner (home), ADGPs of state police, IGAR(S), IGAR (E), GOC 57 mountain Division, IG of CRPF, DIG of BSF, secretary to the Governor, joint director of SIB Manipur and other police and military officers.
During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on the unfortunate incident in which two soldiers of the 33 Assam Rifles made the supreme sacrifice and five others sustained bullet injuries, Imphal Raj Bhavan said in a statement.
It added that the discussion stressed the need for coordinated action among all security agencies to ensure swift identification of the perpetrators.
It was also resolved that security arrangements must be further strengthened in vulnerable and sensitive areas, including highways, transit routes, and border zones.
Enhanced patrolling, intensified intelligence gathering, and stronger inter-agency coordination were emphasized to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Governor underscored that law and order must be maintained with firmness and vigilance across both the valley and hill districts to ensure peace and public safety, the release added.
Two jawans of the 33 Assam Rifles were killed and five others were injured when a group of armed miscreants ambushed a vehicle of the paramilitary force in Nambol Sabal Leikai area in Bishnupur district on Friday evening.