Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 02:
With tension running high in Churachandpur town following the killing of IGP (Intelligence) T Thangthuam and his escort commander Khamkhanjan Paite in an ambush laid by PLA, armed wing of the proscribed RPF outfit, additional force including police commandos have been deployed in the town to prevent any untoward incident.
Over and above the imposition of restrictions under CrPC 144, four team of police commandos, one company of CRPF, two companies of BSF and women police personnel have been deployed in all the sensitive parts of the town.
All the shops and market places remain closed and passenger buses stayed off the Tiddim line for the second consecutive day today.
A joint team of MAFYF and mediapersons who had gone to monitor the situation at Churachandpur town also felt the heightened tension prevailing there.
Meanwhile condemnations against the killing continue to pour in.
The IPS Association, Manipur chapter held a meting today at 5.30 pm at the Banquet Hall of 1st MR to condole the demise of T Thangthuam and his escort commander Havildar S Khanjam Paite.
Dubbing the attack as dastardly and cowardly, the Association in a statement said that the void left by Thangthuam will be hard to fill up.
A two minute silence was also observed to pray for the departed souls, said the statement and added that the Association shares the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.
The proscribed KRA has also condemned the killing of the IG along with his escort commander on December 31.Publicity secretary of KRA, Th Misao informed to The Sangai Express that the murder of a Manipuri police officer would not be in the interest of the people and would jeopardise all attempts to bring unity in the State.
He appealed to the RPF/PLA to clarify on the killing.
Misao further said that the outfit shares the pain and loss felt by the bereaved families while appealing to all concerned not to repeat such killings of high ranking Manipuri officers in future.
All officers and other ranks of Forensic Science Laboratory, Pangei have also condoled the demise of the Thangthuam and Khamkhanjam Paite by observing a two minute silence, informed the Laboratory in a statement while sharing the grief and agony felt by the bereaved families.
Likewise, AIS/MCS/MSS officers of Manipur has condoled and condemned the killing in a meeting held today.
In another statement made available to the press, Kuki Inpi, Manipur have also strongly condemned the killing of Thangthuam and Khamkhanjam.
In a similar vein, Nationalist Congress Party, Manipur Pradesh has also condoled the demise of the IG.
The Zomi Human Rights Foundation, Delhi Cell while expressing their dismay over the continuing violence in Manipur has condemned the killing of the IG (Intelligence) and the subsequent violence in Churachandpur district.
A statement issued by the Cell also flayed the State Government for their failure to sanitise the interior of Churachandpur district as agreed upon while signing the MOU on August 25 last.
Joining the chorus of condolence and condemnation outcry, the Meetei Society, Churachandpur, Meetei Youth Organisation and Meira Paibes have condoled the demise of Thangthuam by observing two minutes silence, informed the Society in a statement while expressing their share in the profound pain and loss felt by the bereaved families.
It also lamented and condemned the violence perpetrated by some enraged groups against a particular community as it the crime was committed by that particular community of Churachandpur district.
It also denied the reports of CrPC being invoked at 11 am as published in local dailies asserting that the prohibitory order was imposed only at 4 pm while all the damage was done.