The Assam Rifles, in collaboration with Manipur Police and CAPFs, conducted a significant show of force across Jiribam District on Wednesday, aiming to quell unrest and restore public confidence.
Over 200 security personnel participated, spreading messages of peaceful coexistence, confidence-building measures, and maintaining law and order. This operation aimed to discourage support for hostile elements, as stated in a release on Thursday.
The release highlighted the recent violence in Jiribam on June 6, triggered by the death of a local resident. It noted that additional security forces were deployed to Jiribam as tensions escalated, with the aim of restoring normalcy in the district.
The joint operation involved coordinated movement of personnel from Jiri Circle to Leingangpokpi, passing through sensitive areas and sending a strong message to any disruptive elements. This move was intended to deter the free movement of armed cadres. The security forces in Jiribam District are engaged in various tasks and have urged local residents to offer their support and cooperation.
In a separate incident, unidentified miscreants reportedly set fire to a Narcotics Cell check post.
Sources indicated that the check post located at Leingangpokpi under Jiribam PS was torched on Wednesday around 10 pm, leading to a fierce gun battle between security forces and the miscreants in the Leingangpokpi area, which lasted until 11 pm.
No casualties were reported at the time of writing. Sources stated that Kuki militants fired upon Fire Brigade vehicles responding to the blaze.
Meanwhile, goods-laden trucks en route to Imphal from Jiribam, escorted by a CRPF convoy, were redirected back to Jiribam due to a shortage of trucks.
Sources reported that Kuki women had blocked passage at Tatbung and Phaitol. This blockade was not related to the redirection of the trucks to Jiribam.
Approximately 200 petroleum tankers, under full escort, are expected to depart for Imphal.
As freight trucks continued their journey to Imphal, the number of stranded trucks in Jiribam has decreased. Additionally, unknown individuals set fire to a truck traveling towards Senapati from Imphal at S. Golai under Kangpokpi Police Station in Kangpokpi District.
