Suspected Kuki Militants Ambush Police Convoy Ahead Of Manipur CM Biren Singh's Visit To Tense Jiribam

In a daring episode of intimidation, suspected Kuki militants ambushed a police convoy en route to Jiribam on Monday (10 June) morning, injuring one police officer, according to a report by The Indian Express.

The attack occurred just ahead of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh's planned visit to the district, which has been experiencing heightened tensions since last week.

The police stated that the ambush targeted the advance guard preparing for the CM's visit along National Highway 37, the main road connecting Imphal and Jiribam, at around 10:40 am. The attack took place in T Laijang village, approximately 26 km from Imphal, within the Kuki-Zomi dominated Kangpokpi district.

The injured officer, identified as 32-year-old Moirangthem Ajesh from Bishnupur district, sustained a bullet wound to his right shoulder and has been transported to a hospital in Imphal for treatment.

This attack comes in the background of an earlier tragic incident where two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel lost their lives in an attack by Kuki militants in Manipur's Naransena area during the midnight hours of 26 April.

In another unfortunate news, yesterday (09 June), terrorists fired on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims near Teryath village in J&K's Reasi district, following which the bus fell into a gorge. At least ten pilgrims were killed and over 30 were injured in the terror attack.

Until recently, Jiribam had remained relatively peaceful despite ongoing ethnic conflict in the rest of Manipur since 3 May of last year. Bordering Assam's Cachar district, Jiribam is home to a diverse population of Meiteis, Kuki-Zos, Bengalis, Muslims, and Nagas.

The latest round of unrest began on 6 June, following the discovery of Soibam Saratkumar Singh's body, a Meitei man, with injury marks.

Subsequent arson attacks led to the burning of homes belonging to both Hmar-Mizos, a tribe under the Zo umbrella, and Meiteis. Additionally, two police outposts and a forest beat office were set on fire.

Hundreds of people have sought refuge in temporary relief camps since the recent tensions began, prompting the deployment of a large contingent of police and central security forces in the district to maintain order.

The chief minister is scheduled to visit the district on Tuesday. A joint team of state forces and Assam Rifles has initiated a search operation in and around the site of Monday's attack.