Imphal, May 28 (). Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said that at least 33 militants of Kuki insurgent outfits have been killed in a series of encounters with security forces since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3.
The Chief Minister, after holding a meeting with Army Chief General Manoj Pandey, said security forces launched a massive combing operation in several districts against Kuki militants who, according to him, are attacking civilians in various districts.
Singh said that in counter and defensive operations against these militants, who are using sophisticated weapons against civilian population, 33 of these militants have been killed in different areas and some militants have also been arrested by the security forces.
The government condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on unarmed civilians, especially in the peripheral areas of the districts of the Valley, the chief minister told the media.
Meanwhile, at Uripok in Imphal West district on Sunday, BJP MLA K. Raghumani Singh’s house was ransacked and two of his vehicles were set on fire.
Police said an angry mob demanding action against Kuki armed groups and militants attacked the MLA’s house and Kuki wanted to meet Raghumani Singh to demand strict action against the attackers.
In his media briefing, the Chief Minister said that the spurt in violent attacks on civilian homes in the peripheral areas of the Valley in the last two days appears to be well-planned. Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai is in the state and group peace missions are being formed as part of efforts to restore peace in the state.
Describing those trying to break the state and disrupt the peaceful coexistence in the state as enemies of all the 34 communities living together in the state, Singh said the government will continue to face every such challenge.
Noting that this is clearly a challenge to the state and its integrity, he once again appealed to all the 34 communities living together in the state to have faith and trust in the government. He said that the government will not allow disintegration of Manipur, protect the integrity of the state and uproot these armed militants from the state.
SGK
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