Suspected NSCN (IM) rebels kill police officer in Manipur

IMPHAL: A Manipur Police commando was killed and two others injured by suspected NSCN (IM) rebels on Tuesday morning in two different places in Ukhrul district.
Soon after the attack, governor VK Duggal held a meeting with chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, a source said.
The injured personnel are being treated at the state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (Jnims) in Imphal East.
Around 9.30 am, armed NSCN (IM) cadres attacked police, who were moving towards Imphal, at two different spots near Hundung in Ukhrul district headquarters and Mahadeva point, police sources said.
Slain cop KS Thotyo (27) from Ukhrul’s Litan area belonged to Imphal West district police, while the injured duo, Kh Amuthoi (33) and T Nunglung (28), are posted in Thoubal district. Though the identities of the attackers are yet to be ascertained, NSCN (IM)’s role is suspected.
A strong reinforcement team, led by deputy inspector general of police, reached Ukhrul to assess the situation. No one has been arrested so far and no rebel group has claimed responsibly for the attack till the time of filing this report.
The incident came a day after the state government lifted prohibitory orders, under Section 144 of the CrPC, from Ukhrul district. The prohibitory orders were clamped on July 13 after suspected NSCN (IM) cadres killed Ukhrul’s autonomous district council member Ngalangzar Malue at Finch Corner a day earlier.
On July 13, Manipur Police commandos raided a suspected camp of NSCN (IM) at Ukhrul town and arrested at least 8 rebels of the outfit. Some bullets, bombs and incriminating documents were recovered from the camp.
Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam recently informed the state assembly that NSCN (IM) has committed 424 criminal cases in the state since it signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997. A total of 455 cadres of the outfit have been arrested in the state since then.
The outfit is believed to have killed about 100 eminent leaders, including former chief minister Yangmasho Shaiza, since the 1980s.
In April 2013 and 2014, NSCN (IM) attacked deputy speaker of the state assembly Preshow Shirmary. On April 15, 2011, NSCN (IM) rebels attacked the convoy of the then Phungyar constituency MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing at New Canan village in Ukhrul district. They killed 8 Manipur Rifles personnel and a driver. The MLA escaped unhurt, but died a few months later in October 2011.