2 police commandos shot dead in Manipur gunfight

OWING TO THE DETERIORATING SITUATION, A TOTAL CURFEW WAS IMPOSED IN THE DISTRICT FROM TUESDAY

- Utpal Parashar

Armed militants on Wednesday shot dead two police commandos and injured five others in a fresh attack on security forces in the border town of Moreh, officials confirmed, marking the 6th attack on personnel this month in the restive state where more than 200 people have died in ethnic clashes that began last May.

Officials said the firing on men from the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), started around 3:30 am on Wednesday. The unidentified militants lobbed bombs, fired bullets at a security post and rocket propelled gun (RPG) shells.

“Two police commandoes have been killed and five others sustained injuries in the attacks. The situation in Moreh continues to remain tense,” Rahuil Gupta, superintendent of police, Tengnoupal, said over the phone.

The deceased were identified as W Somorjit and Takhelambam Saileshwor.

Due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the district, where total curfew was imposed from Tuesday, the Manipur government sought a helicopter from the Union home ministry to airlift security personnel and ammunition to Moreh.

“The law-and-order situation at the border town of Moreh has become a matter of serious concern as there has been continuous exchange of fire taking place and this has resulted in the death of one IRB [India Reserve Batallion] personnel this morning,” said a letter from the state government to the Union home ministry.