Imphal, Oct 20: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, on Tuesday, directed security forces to apprehend those responsible for the killing of three civilians in Imphal East district, as a 48-hour statewide general strike over the attack disrupted normal life.
Singh chaired separate meetings of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislators and senior security officials at the Secretariat to review the situation following Monday’s attack and the recent violence in Thoubal district.
At the meeting of NDA legislators, members unanimously condemned the killings and called for the immediate arrest of the armed attackers, the Chief Minister said.
At a separate security review meeting in the Cabinet Hall, Singh, accompanied by Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, assessed the overall security situation and discussed the incidents in Imphal East and Thoubal.
The Chief Minister directed officials to strengthen security in vulnerable areas and ensure a coordinated response to the recent violence.
Meanwhile, the killings triggered widespread anger, with the Native People Committee Manipur (NPC) calling a 48-hour statewide general strike from midnight.
The shutdown severely disrupted normal life on Tuesday, with vehicular movement coming to a virtual halt in several areas.
Shutdown supporters took to the streets at Canchipur, Khurai and Patsoi, among other places, to enforce the strike.
The NPC said health services, religious activities, educational institutions and essential services would be exempt from the shutdown.
It urged the public to ensure that emergency medical care and the supply of essential goods remained unobstructed.
The committee has demanded action against the armed groups allegedly responsible for the killings, the removal of unauthorised armed camps near the Khongbal Tangkhul foothills and Khamenlok, and a time-bound decision on the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
It has also demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, citing concerns over alleged political interference in security operations, and called for lawful action against KNF(P) chairman SS Thangboi Kipgen. These remain demands and allegations made by the committee.
Meanwhile, joint teams of Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force (BSF) have intensified the search for the unidentified gunmen. The operation involves drones, sniffer dogs and helicopter surveillance.
Earlier, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoom said on Monday that a group of 14 Meitei villagers had been collecting and transporting firewood near the Khongbal Tangkhul foothills under Sagolmang police station when they came under attack.
“Even as we speak, operations are on in the area with joint teams of police, CRPF, Assam Rifles and BSF, and more intensified operations are in the offing on priority,” he said.
Lhatoom said Assam Rifles personnel had assisted in evacuating the injured and recovering the bodies, adding that further operations were being planned to apprehend the attackers.
He appealed to the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information and avoid taking the law into their own hands.