In a significant incident near the India-Myanmar border in Moreh town, Manipur, a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) lost his life, and three constables sustained gunshot injuries in two separate attacks believed to be carried out by suspected militants. This marks one of the most notable firing incidents in the ethnically strife-torn state in recent weeks.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Killed, Three Constables Injured
The tragic incident on October 31, 2023, claimed the life of Moreh SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar, a resident of Haobam Marak Chingtham Leikai, Imphal. Kumar, who was overseeing the cleaning of the grounds of Eastern Shine School in Moreh for the construction of a helipad, was martyred in the line of duty.
Kumar, who was also the officer-in-charge of Moreh police station, was targeted with a sniper rifle from a distance. He was promptly rushed to a nearby health center but had to be airlifted to Imphal due to the severity of his injuries, where he, unfortunately, succumbed to the gunshot wounds. Moreh, a bustling commercial border town in Tengnoupal district, is located 110 km away from Imphal.
In a separate incident, a reinforcement team dispatched to Moreh came under attack in the Bongjang and Sinam areas along the Imphal-Moreh highway. Three police personnel from this reinforcement team sustained bullet injuries to their legs during the attack.
Following the tragic killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar, the state government took swift action. Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed his deep sadness over the cold-blooded murder and pledged that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. The state cabinet announced a relief of ₹50 lakh for the deceased officer’s family and assured suitable government employment for the next-of-kin.
Recommendation to Declare WKZIC as an Unlawful Group
In an emergency meeting at the chief minister’s office, the state cabinet decided to recommend declaring the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) as an unlawful association/organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It should be noted that the power to declare an organization as unlawful under the UAPA rests with the Union government.
The cabinet further directed the launch of a joint operation in Moreh and its adjoining areas to apprehend the culprits responsible for the crime. This operation will continue until the perpetrators are brought to justice. The central and state forces are to ensure the unhindered movement of transportation and the general public along the Pallel-Moreh road on NH-102, with a focus on reviewing the security situation in the region.
Manipur has witnessed ethnic clashes since May 3, with approximately 178 people losing their lives and nearly 50,000 being displaced due to the clashes between the numerically dominant Meitei and tribal Kuki communities.
Demand for Justice
Following the attack, there was a significant public outcry as people in Singjamei and Wangjing areas in Imphal came out in large numbers to demand justice for SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar, who hailed from the Meitei community.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a Kuki organization, accused the state government of discrimination in handling the killings of police officers from the Kuki community. The ITLF highlighted the case of Ongmang Haokip, a Kuki sub-inspector, who was fatally shot while on duty. They claimed that the government remained silent on Haokip’s death and provided no monetary relief to his family. The ITLF has expressed concerns about an alleged disparity in the treatment of citizens based on their ethnic identity and criticized the state’s leadership.
The tragic incident underscores the ongoing ethnic tensions and security challenges in Manipur, which continue to pose a significant concern for authorities and residents alike.
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