Imphal, Feb 21: Armed militant’s involvement in the upcoming state assembly election is now crystal clear as well equipped cadres today ambushed advance security team which were on their way to make free passage for the VIPs and VVIPs who were attending the flag hoisting ceremony of Dy. CM Gaikhangam at his native village Khoupum in Noney district.
First hand report said that heavily armed militants ambushed the advance party of the state police who were on their way to Khupum village at two separate locations under Khupum Police station. The advance security team led by Additional SP Dr. Ibomcha was on around 20 vehicles. Report said that at around 8.30 am today morning as the convoy reached Thingkhongjang village under Khoupum Police Station some heavily armed militants ambushed the team from two sides. The police team too retaliated and the gunfight took place for some minutes. The armed militants reportedly fled the area and as they proceed another well equipped militants reportedly fired towards the police convoy at around 6/7 Km away from Khoupum Police Station. The police team retaliated however the second time the gunfight did not last long as the militants escaped taking advantage of the hilly terrain. In the ambush, one constable of 3rd IRB sustained bullet injury. He has been evacuated at RIMS hospital.
Following the ambushed security has been beefed up along the route. Additional troops have also been reinforced and search operations were reported to have been conducted at various places. Source said that the ambush might have been carried out to sabotage the Deputy Chief Minister’s flag hoisting function.
Interesting, the ambush to sabotage the flag hoisting function of Deputy Chief Minister occurred a day after congress spokesperson Khumukcham Joykishan had alleged that an armed group called Zeliangrong United Front (ZUP) has been openly supporting a BJP candidate identified as Adim Panmei in Nungba Assembly Constituency.
