How Are Leaders Reacting to the Manipur Ambush on Assam Rifles Personnel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Manipur Governor condemns the ambush on Assam Rifles.
- Two soldiers lost their lives, with five others injured.
- Mass protests erupted in response to the attack.
- Leaders demand justice and heightened security measures.
- Historical patterns of violence against security forces raise concerns.
Imphal, Sep 20 (NationPress) The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, along with former Chief Minister and various organizations, including a leading tribal body, vehemently denounced the assault by unidentified assailants on an Assam Rifles convoy that resulted in the deaths of two personnel and left five others injured.
On Saturday, hundreds of individuals from various age groups, predominantly women, organized significant protests at Nambol in Bishnupur district of Manipur against the attack that occurred the previous evening.
The local residents, donned in traditional mourning garments, chanted slogans and displayed placards denouncing the attack, lamenting its role in “instilling fear and panic among the public,” during a sit-in just one kilometer away from the ambush site.
A representative from Raj Bhavan disclosed that the Governor has strongly criticized the violence directed at security forces, emphasizing the ultimate sacrifice made by two valiant Assam Rifles jawans while carrying out their duties.
The Governor expressed deep sorrow and extended sincere condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, recognizing their steadfast bravery and commitment to safeguarding the nation.
He also offered prayers for a swift recovery to those injured in the incident.
Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary, reiterated that such atrocious acts of violence would not be tolerated under any circumstances, asserting that they would be met with the utmost determination to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also voiced strong condemnation of the attack.
In a post on X, Biren Singh stated: “I am deeply shaken to hear about the ambush on our brave Assam Rifles personnel at Nambol Sabal Leikai. The loss of two jawans and injuries to several others is a cruel blow to us all. My deepest condolences to the families of the fallen and prayers for the quick recovery of the injured. Their courage and sacrifice will remain in our hearts forever. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must face the harshest punishment.”
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the premier body representing the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur, also condemned the attack on the Assam Rifles.
The KZC remarked that this ambush further highlights the violent, anti-national, and secessionist nature of militant groups.
“This brutal incident revives painful memories of the 2021 killings of Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife, and young son by militants. Such repeated assaults on India’s security forces are not isolated incidents but rather a persistent trend of hostility against the Indian state by armed factions. History shows that these militants reject the concept of India and thrive on violence and terror,” stated Ginza Vualzong, Secretary of Information and Publicity for KZC.
The tribal organization also claimed that over 250 innocent Kuki-Zo lives were lost; women were assaulted; bodies mutilated; more than 7,000 homes and 360 places of worship were torched; and over 40,000 individuals were displaced from their residences amid the ethnic violence.
The KZC called upon the Indian government to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and expedite a political resolution.