Two IRB Police Personnel Dead After Suspected Militant Attack in Manipur's Moreh

Video Producer: Saptarshi Basak

Video Editor: Prashant Chauhan

Two Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) police personnel were killed in a suspected militant attack in Manipur's border town of Moreh on Wednesday, 17 January.

One of the victims, identified as W Somorjit, hailed from Malom in Imphal West, and was killed amid heavy firing on Wednesday early morning. The second victim was identified as Havildar Takhellambam Saileshwor of Akham Lamsang, Imphal West. He left behind a widow, an 11-year-old daughter, and an 8-year-old son.

Additionally, a school (Mount Moreh) and some houses were set on fire by unidentified miscreants.

The situation remains tense in Moreh as the suspected militant attack comes just days after police arrested two individuals from Moreh in connection with the death of a police officia, C Anand Kumar, in October last year. Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate have been remanded to police custody for nine days.

Today (15/01/2024) at around 4:30 pm, during round patrolling of Manipur Police Special CDO Teams near Moreh College, the security personnel observed two suspected individuals who opened fire on vehicles of security personnel and ran into a cluster of houses. On being fired upon,… pic.twitter.com/JMpOkpNOkV

— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) January 15, 2024

Mate has turned out to be a BJP leader, that is, the treasurer of the party's Tengnoupal district unit. The party has expelled him and also cancelled his membership.

Following the arrests, the situation escalated in the area as a mob reportedly gathered at the police station and demanded the release of the accused in custody.

Manipur Govt Seeks MHA's Help

Given the escalations, the Manipur government imposed a total curfew in the area on Tuesday, 16 January. It has also requested the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to send helicopters, citing the “continued exchange of fire between State police commandos and armed miscreants in the border town of Moreh."

“The law and order situation at the border town of Moreh has become a matter of serious concern.... In view of the prevalent situation, the situation may deteriorate further in Moreh, [a] medical emergency may arise [at] any time. The Police Department has also informed that there is also need for airlifting of security personnel, ammunition, etc. to Moreh,” read the letter by T Ranjit Singh, Commissioner (Home), Manipur.

Earlier this month, seven security personnel – five from the Manipur Police and two from the Border Security Force – were injured in a suspected militant attack at the border town of Moreh in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district.