Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Manipur authorities launched a massive counter-insurgency sweep after a string of violent attacks rocked the state. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh promised to catch the killers of six Naga civilians abducted from Leilon village in May. Their bodies turned up a month later, sparking massive protests and a blockade on National Highway 2.
The National Investigation Agency is leading the murder probe. The state government is handing over all evidence to back the federal investigation. Khemchand insisted that peace depends on getting rid of illegal guns. "Lasting peace cannot be achieved as long as illegal weapons remain in circulation," he said.
Violence erupted again on July 6. Militants ambushed an Assam Rifles patrol near Nungshangohong village in Ukhrul district, killing Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Rifleman C.M. Singh. It was the deadliest strike on troops in years. Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam declared a new security strategy to secure the area and track down insurgent cells.
The government pulled in the big guns for backup. Officials secured the deployment of the elite CoBRA jungle warfare unit after talks with the Central Reserve Police Force. State and federal forces are now sweeping the hills to dismantle rebel camps and tighten their grip on the region.
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