Main Suspect in Moreh Police Officer Assassination Arrested
CONFLICT
Imphal: On Monday, a joint operation involving the Special Commando Unit, a Combat team, and Moreh police near Moreh College in the international border town marked a significant development in nabbing the culprits in the assassination of Late Moreh police officer, Ch. Anand Singh.
Late Moreh police officer, Ch. Anand Singh
A routine patrolling took a dramatic turn as two suspicious individuals, upon spotting security vehicles, opened fire and sought refuge in nearby cluster of houses. Responding swiftly, combined teams retaliated, cordoning off the suspected houses.
The operation resulted in the successful chase, overpowering, and subsequent detention of two suspects identified as Philip Khaikholal Khongsai, son of (Late) Marcus Khongsai, from New Moreh Ward No. 8, and Hemkholal Mate, son of (Late) Onkholun Mate, Chief of K. Moulsang village and Finance Secretary of MTU (Mate Tribe Union).
The arrest, occurred at 4:40 pm near Moreh College, yielded the recovery of significant items, including one pistol with two live rounds, a Chinese hand grenade, ten live rounds of AK ammunition, and ten detonators with fuses.
Philip Khaikholal Khongsai, son of (Late) Marcus Khongsai
Further interrogation revealed that the detainees held leadership positions in the Moreh Defense Force/Village Volunteers Force Moreh. Notably, Philip is identified as the main accused in the assassination of Late Ch. Anand Singh, a police officer of Manipur Police, posted at Moreh.
Meanwhile, supporters of the two Kuki-Zo suspects attempted to storm the Moreh police station, aiming to free the apprehended individuals.
On the other hand, the news of the significant breakthrough in apprehending the main suspect linked to the assassination of the Moreh police officer was met with jubilation in the valley where the family of the deceased police officer resides.
Notably, the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, seeking separate administration for the Kuki-Zo had recently petitioned the Ministry of Home Affairs, urging the removal of state police deployment, advocating for central security forces due to alleged atrocities by state forces. These accusations were refuted by Assam Rifles, the seasoned central paramilitary forces in the area, asserting that all operations in Moreh are joint efforts involving state forces, Border Security Forces and them.
In recent times, the combined security forces have faced repeated attacks from Kuki-Zo militants wielding sophisticated weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades. These assaults resulted in at least eight security personnel sustaining injuries in separate incidents.
Police sources reported that the community which fled Moreh after their properties and houses were attacked and torched is hopeful of returning soon after the situation appeared to be improving daily as the combined security forces continue to sensitize the border town, situated on the international border between India and Myanmar, 110 kilometers from the state capital, Imphal.