Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Security forces conducted a wide-ranging combing operation across Sikibung, TM Kasom, and Lungphu villages on July 14. A joint team of the Assam Rifles, Madras, Maha, Bihar, and Punjab regiments, alongside police, targeted the areas following a July 6 ambush that killed Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar C.M. Singh. The ambush occurred when an Assam Rifles convoy returned to the 40th Battalion headquarters at Shangshak near Nungshang Khong.
Forces arrested four men from Sikibung village around 8:30 am. Authorities identified the detainees as Yaoreingam Lungleng, Wungphayo Kasar, Ninglum Awungshi Shimray, and Vareiyo Lungleng. They are currently held at Porompat Police Station in Imphal East. Tension is high. The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) issued a sharp ultimatum today.
The group demands the immediate release of these four individuals within 24 hours. They warned of serious civil unrest against the state government if their demands are ignored. TNL officials labeled the villagers as innocent and criticized the security forces for ignoring Kuki militant groups in the region. Villagers reported that the operation began at 7:30 am, involving house-to-house searches of church premises and private quarters without local police oversight.
Police maintain the operation is focused on identifying the perpetrators of the deadly July 6 attack. A police statement noted the ongoing nature of the investigation. "An intelligence-based operation has been launched by security forces in the areas of TM Kasom, Litan and Sikibung to arrest the perpetrators of the ambush on security forces in Ukhrul district on July 6. Three persons have been detained," officials reported. Authorities claim daily life remains stable, with shops open and traffic moving along National Highway 202 as planned.
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