In the troubled town of Moreh in Manipur, which has been marked by ethnic riots, a police officer met a tragic end as he succumbed to gunshot wounds on a fateful Tuesday morning. This unfortunate incident unfolded when an unidentified group of armed individuals targeted a police team in a shocking act of violence.
The heart-wrenching turn of events transpired as these armed miscreants directed their fire at the police team, which was in the midst of inspecting a site designated for the construction of a helipad in Moreh. Among the officers caught in this distressing encounter, it was the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Moreh, Chingtham Anand Kumar, who bore the brunt of the attack. Tragically, he sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen during the altercation and, regrettably, could not overcome his injuries.
While the officer's life was tragically cut short, it is worth noting that no other members of the police team suffered harm in the midst of the violent gunfire.
Reports originating from the Moreh Police Station have suggested that this ambush was orchestrated with the intent of assassinating the Superintendent of the Special Commando unit.
Manipur, a region that has been grappling with a protracted period of ethnic strife since May 3, has found itself in the midst of a tumultuous situation involving clashes between the majority Meitei community, which predominantly resides in the Imphal valley, and the Kukis, who have historically inhabited the hills.
In the wake of this grievous incident, Chief Minister N Biren Singh convened an emergency cabinet meeting to deliberate on the prevailing law-and-order conditions in Moreh. The cabinet, in a unanimous and unambiguous response, condemned the heinous act. It also authorized the disbursement of an ex gratia payment amounting to Rs 50 lakh to be extended as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased police officer, Chingtham Anand Kumar. Furthermore, the government committed to ensuring suitable employment opportunities for the bereaved family of the officer who had been on special duty. In addition to this, an official investigation into the incident was promptly ordered, underscoring the state's commitment to pursuing justice in the face of this tragic loss.
