Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 13, 2010:
The law and order situation in Imphal East district has been largely brought under control, the Superintendent of Police, Imphal East district, Th Radheshyam announced today, and expressed sincere appreciation to the public of the district for their cooporation and help.
Talking to media persons in his office chamber, SP Radheshyam narrated that the panic among the residents of Lamlai area when underground elements targeted civilians, mostly workers and associates of Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ph Parijat has been relatively eased.
The Imphal East district police commandos have killed at least seven underground activists and arrested 69 militants.
Imphal East district police had engaged three of its commando units in the counter insurgency operations from July this year in the wake of the spree of attacks, kidnappings and killings selectively targeting CPI workers and close associates of Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ph Parijat for allegedly defying their diktat.
Activists of Kangleipak Communists Party (KCP)-City Meitei group attacked CPI workers and associates of the lone CPI Minister in the Congress led SPF government including Gram Panchayat Members during the month of June and July putting the local people under threat and fear.
In the series of attacks, the militants had killed the wife of a close associate of the Minister and a son of another CPI worker.
They shot and injured other workers including a couple whom they had kidnapped.
They also kidnapped a son of another CPI worker who was rescued by police commandos later.
The law and order situation in Lamlai Assembly constituency had become grave, SP Radheshyam admitted to the reporters in the press briefing.
Considering the rampant violent acts of militants, the Imphal East District Police opened three special commando units in Lamlai areas, namely Yaingangpokpi, Napetpalli and Sekta, and had been maintaining a round the clock vigilance in the areas since July 17. At least seven militants belonging to different groups had been killed.
A total of 69 militants had been arrested by the three newly opened commando units and recovered 14 different weapons, SP Radheshyam informed and asserted that the acitivities of the anti-social elements had been brought under control now.
The 69 militants nabbed include 21 KCP (City Meetei) who were involved in attacking workers and close associates of Minister Ph Parijat.
Eleven activists of other factions of the same outfit were also arrested, the SP said.
According to him, among the nabbed militants, includes 14 PREPAK, six Kuki Liberation Army (KLA)- United, one KLA, three each of KYKL and MDF (Military Defense Force), four PULF, two UKLA (MC), one UNPC and one UNLF.
The rest belonged to criminal gangs.
Out of the 14 arms recovered from the militants during the operations, 11 were small arms like a 9 mm pistol and a revolver.
there is also a lethode gun, and AK-47 and a US made carbine.