Imphal: Manipur Police has revealed that arrested Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate were involved in the killing of the SDPO, Moreh. Manipur police took to X on Thursday. The same was made known to the public in a police clarification on a news article titled “Inside Manipur’s New battleground: The border outpost of Moreh” which was published by Scroll.in on January 31, 2024.
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Sub Division Police Officer of Moreh Police Station, Chingtham Anandkumar, was shot dead on October 31, 2023 by suspected Kuki militants, along the Indo-Myanmar border town. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 am.
SDPO Anandkumar was shot in the stomach, suspected to be from a sniper rifle while he was supervising the cleaning of Eastern Shine Ground for helicopter landing at Moreh Ward Number 7 under Moreh Police Station. He was rushed to Moreh Primary Health Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries at around 10 am.
Manipur Police wrote, Clarification on an article “Manipur Unrest” published by http://Scroll.in on 31 January 2024’
While a sense of normalcy was slowly settling in Moreh, an MPS officer, Shri Chingtham Anand Kumar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Moreh was shot dead on 31 October 2023 by armed Kuki militants while he was on duty overseeing the cleaning of the ground of Eastern Shine School for construction of helipad, jointly by State force and BSF. Following the death of the Sub Divisional Police Officer, the Security forces launched joint search operations in Moreh and adjoining areas to nab the culprits responsible for the crime.
On 15.01.2024, two persons namely, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate were arrested for possession of arms and ammunition by police. They were produced before the concerned Court, Moreh and they were remanded for 15 days police custody. During police custody, on interrogation they revealed that they were involved in the killing of the SDPO, Moreh. Accordingly, the IO filed an application for formal arrest of the duo in connection with the case of the killing of Shri Anand Chingtham. The court allowed for the formal arrest of the duo. However, they were remanded into judicial custody till February 12.
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Since early morning of 17.01.2024, heavily armed Kuki militants launched further attack on the State police forces using sophisticated weapons including RPG launchers, bombs and long-range assault rifles killing two police personnel and injuring seven others at Moreh.
On the demands of some organizations for removal of state forces from Moreh, it is reiterated that State government has responsibility to ensure law and order and deployment of forces in any part of Manipur including Moreh, which is inhabited by multiple communities as in any other area in the state.
With regard to the allegations of Security Forces setting ablaze houses of civilians on fire, an FIR case has been registered into the incident and investigation is on. The investigation so far has not revealed any evidence that the arson was carried out by any of the Security forces. It may be mentioned that there were attacks from heavily armed Kuki militants and miscreants using rockets and bombs in many places of Moreh from early morning on 17th January including in the areas where incident of fire took place and security forces engaged with them throughout the day. The unfortunate fire incident was doused with the help of Fire Tenders, security forces and the locals.
The State police and other security forces are working round the clock to maintain law and order and to bring peace in Moreh.