Insurgency / Manipur

Imphal, February 14: The BSF is fighting a virtual war in the Henglep subdivision with a combined force of about 300 militant fighters, suspected to belong to valley based groups, according to the BSF DIG, PK Mishra who along with reporters had toured the division by helicopter today. Heavy fighting has been going on since 6 in the morning and is expected to carry on throughout the night and into tomorrow, Mishra told the IFP. The militants are well entrenched in bunkers and are blocking the way of the BSF troops approaching towards Henglep on area domination mission before the second phase of...

Imphal, February 12: The underground KYKL(O), has clarified that its campaign against the MSCP candidate Th Bira, contesting in the Nambol constituency is not at the behest of any political group. The outfit, in a statement, reiterated it had nothing whatsoever to do with Indian elections, and the campaign against Bira has not been taken up at the behest of any of his rivals. It further said its actions were part of its crusade to stop the anti-revolutionary and anti-people activities of Th Chaoba, state Lok Sabha MP and Bira's younger brother. The KYKL(O) also claimed responsibility for the...

Imphal, February 12: With the first phase Assembly election just two days away, pre-poll violence continues to rock the State with unidentified gunmen attacking the residences of six candidates including one bomb attack since last night. Armed assailants exploded a hand grenade at the residence of former Dy Chief Minister and Congress candidate, Kh Amutombi at Mayang Imphal Konchak at around 11.50 last night. No one was injured in the bomb attack which damaged the southern wall of the house. Reports said the assailants came from the Mayang Imphal Konchak side and lobbed the grenade from the...

Ukhrul, February 11: As Ukhrul district is on the threshold of entering the poll on February 21 pandemonium prevails with the candidates in the fray and their agents on a blitzkrieg of propaganda, claiming to have the blessings of the NSCN(IM). Even as the NSCN(IM) has refuted the claim, people are still confused. Doing much damage at the moment is the lingering propaganda spree that some candidates are banned from contesting the election by the NSCN(IM). However, candidates have also refuted such claim as a ploy to jeopardize their prospects and said that they have been placed under undue...

Imphal, February 11: The police have registered 18 cases of pre-poll violence, according to the DGP AA Siddique. Talking to this Correspondent the police chief claimed that number of poll related violence in this round of election is less than that of 2000 polls. As many as 37 cases of poll related violence were registered in the last election, he said. The DGP assured that despite the inadequate strength of security forces security measures would be taken in such a manner that no one will threaten a voter inside the polling both. However, he was not sure of the security outside the polling...

Imphal, February 11: In continued pre-poll violence, one election worker was injured when unidentified gunmen attacked the residence of Assembly Speaker and current NCP candidate in Thongju Assembly constituency Dr S Dhananjoy at Okram Chuthek Makha Kitna Panung at around 1.30 this morning. Reports said that around seven youths who claimed themselves to be the NCP workers came on a white Maruti Gypsy and tried to enter the house of the Speaker. The youths fired several rounds at the residence of Dhananjoy when they were resisted by his workers who were already stationed there. The injured is...

Imphal, February 11: A 25 years old girl was hospitalized after she was allegedly brutally tortured by Assam Rifles on the charge of giving shelter to underground elements at Khongjom under Thoubal district. The victim is identified as Khundrakpam Mala Devi daughter of Kh Ibochou of Khongjom Makha Langthabai village under Thoubal police station. She was admitted to JN Hospital after third degree torture after she was picked up from her house on February 7 morning. Family sources, said that on the morning of February 7, AR men came to her house and accused her of giving shelter to underground...

Imphal, February 10: Two persons, including the deputy finance secretary of the underground PREPAK, were shot dead by troops of the Assam Rifles(AR) in two different incidents today. The PREPAK's deputy finance secretary, Salam Khomba alias Kumar alias Rajcn alias Nabachandra, 38, of Nongpok Sekmai Makha Leikai, was killed in what sources said was a five hour long encounter with PREPAK rebels in the early hours today at Heirok part II Khanarok. Official sources said the encounter occurred after troops of the 7th Assam Rifles posted at Khongjom laid an ambush in the Heirok part II area...

Imphal, February 08: Despite enhanced security measures, the armed attacks on candidates contesting in the forthcoming elections and their supporters continue unabated. Unidentified gunmen last night fired over 90 rounds of ammunition at the house of the Samata Party candidate contesting in 7 Andro Assembly constituency, Sahid Ahmed, causing damage to the walls and roofs of the house but fortunately, no casualties. According to reports around 10 unidentified gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons fired upon Sahid Ahmed's house, located at Yairipok, near Azad High School at around 9:15 pm from...

Imphal, February 07: Another active worker of Th Bira, the MSCP candidate in Nambol A/c was shot at and injured by some unidentified gunmen this evening at Nambol Naorem Mayai Leikai. The worker identified as Leishangthem Nabadeep, 45, 0f Nambol Naorem Leikai sustained a bullet injury at his right thigh and has been admitted to RIMS hospital. The victim disclosed that he was taken from his home at gunpoint at around 8 pm tonight and shot at in the right thigh at close range on the Nambol river bank nearby. He said while abducting him from his house, the gunmen warned his family members not to...