Imphal, Dec 15: At least 3 Manipur Police personnel were killed and 8 sustained serious injury after armed militants suspected to be cadres of NSCN-IM ambushed at two different places at NH-2 near Moreh.
The state police team was led by the additional SP of Chandel, posted at international border town, Moreh were proceeding on two jeeps and a mini truck towards Tegnoupal, carrying out road patrol for the Tegnoupal district inauguration function slated today morning.
Report said that the Lokchao, ambush was carried out at around 6.15 am. Lokchao is about 7 Km North from Moreh. The armed rebels fired indiscriminately towards the police team. 2 were reported killed in the ambush and another left with serious injury. The ambushed at Bongyang, which is about 24 Km North from Moreh was carried out at around 8 am. 1 state force succumbed to bullet injury, while 7 other sustained serious wounds.
The three dead body have reached RIMS Morgue and the 8 are presently undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital and research Institution, Langol. Hospital source said that of the 8 injured police personnel, condition of 4 is critical.
Those killed in the ambushed are identified as Yengkhom Jeevan (51 years), son of (late) Y. Angou of Leishangthem Awang Leikai Thoubal, Md. Ayub Khan (35 years), son of Salauddin of Yairipok Ningthoumanai and LS Lenghir Charanga (35years) son of (late) Lengrin of Kharam Khunou.
According to the police and the 12 Assam Rifles operating in the area, NSCN IM is apparently active in the area.
Immediately after the ambushes, one at 6:15 am and the other at around 8:00 am, the combined team of AR and police commandos cordoned off Leibi village and conducted an unsuccessful combing operation. The village, located downhill near the ambush site, is believed to the fleeing route of the perpetrators.
Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi who went ahead with the scheduled district inauguration, speaking at the function, held at 9:00am in Tegnoupal condemned the incident and announced Ex gratia of Rs 5 lakhs each to fallen police personnel and government jobs to the next kin of the deceased personnel. A cabinet meeting is scheduled today to take a decision today evening.
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