What Happened During the Attack on the Manipur Police Convoy in Chandel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mob violence against police occurs in Chandel.
- No injuries reported despite vehicle damage.
- Kuki community expresses distrust towards police.
- Significant arms cache recovered by security forces.
- Public urged to report looted arms and verify information.
Imphal, Oct 2 (NationPress) A group launched an assault on a convoy of Manipur Police in Longja village, located in the Chandel district of the state, resulting in damage to several vehicles, although officials confirmed that no injuries occurred. A police spokesperson from Imphal reported that the windshields of three police vehicles were shattered during the incident, which transpired late on Wednesday while officers were executing an operation in the hilly regions. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries from either party.
One of the damaged vehicles was assigned to the Additional Superintendent of Police of Chandel district, which shares an unprotected border with Myanmar.
According to reports from Chandel, a considerable number of individuals, primarily women from the Kuki tribal community, obstructed the convoy's passage.
Kuki groups have accused the Manipur Police of showing favoritism towards the Meitei community.
In another incident, two principal suspects linked to an arson attack and mob violence against security personnel earlier on Tuesday were apprehended in the Yumnam Patlou Awang Leikai areas of Imphal East district. The individuals have been identified as Konjengbam Nanao alias Arunjit, 21, and Heikrujam Khamba Meitei, 43, both from Imphal East.
Additionally, security forces have captured a self-proclaimed corporal belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) militant group. The militant has been recognized as Khundongbam Nandabir Meitei alias Chinglen, 55, hailing from the Heirok Salam Leirak area in Thoubal district.
Meanwhile, during coordinated operations across Imphal West, Imphal East, and Churachandpur districts, security personnel have recovered a significant quantity of arms and ammunition.
The retrieved weaponry includes a 9 mm SMG carbine with magazine, five single-barrel rifles, one double-barrel gun, five pistols, five pompi guns, two 12-bore shotguns, a modified .303 sniper rifle with lens, and an M-16 automatic rifle with magazine.
Additionally, a vast assortment of ammunition and explosives, including Chinese grenades, was recovered from the three districts.
A Manipur Police representative stated that search operations and area domination efforts continue in mixed-population and vulnerable regions across the districts.
As per the official, a total of 114 checkpoints have been established in various districts, both in the hills and valley regions, to deter untoward and illegal movements of hostile elements and suspicious vehicles. Security forces have also provided escorts for numerous vehicles transporting essential goods along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).
Stringent security protocols are enforced in all sensitive locations, and security convoys are assigned to critical stretches to ensure the safe passage of vehicles.
Additionally, the Manipur Police have urged the public to remain skeptical of rumors and to be cautious of misleading videos.
"The authenticity of any unfounded videos or audio clips being circulated should be verified with the Central Control Room. Furthermore, many counterfeit posts may be disseminated on social media. It is warned that distributing such fake posts will result in legal repercussions," a police statement conveyed.
The police have also called on individuals to return any looted arms, ammunition, and explosives to the police or the nearest security forces post without delay.