Villages attacked, 25 arrested, security tightened in Manipur

Imphal: Well armed militants attacked Khurkhul and other Meitei villages near the Leimakhong military headquarters here on Monday.

The villagers fled to nearby places as the militants were armed with sophisticated weapons.

Massive security measures were taken up as Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reach the state late on Monday.

Troops also apprehended 25 persons for carrying arms and trying to burn houses. Curfew was not relaxed in all the five valley districts for the day. The Internet remained suspended since clashes started on May 3 last.

Chief Minister N Biren had stated that the conflict was now between armed Kuki terrorists and the government. Three persons were apprehended by troops with an INSAS Rifle and Magazine, sixty rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, one Chinese hand grenade and one Detonator at Imphal East .

In another incident, the army nabbed 22 persons who were trying to burn houses at Imphal East . Army columns were fired upon from automatic weapon by miscreants who were trying to burn the houses.

Five 12 bore double barrel rifles, three single barrel rifles, one country made weapon with double bore and one muzzle loaded weapon were recovered. Swift action by the Army averted loss of precious lives and multiple incidents of arson.

Meanwhile Manipur Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi said in an order that a number of individuals in responsible positions were sharing information in social media regarding the situation in Manipur. Many of such information have been found to be fake news, lies, rumours or misinformation, he said.

Generation of such wrong information has the potential to worsen the current situation in the State by misleading public opinion, instigating violence and to rebel against the authority of the State with or without use of arms, leading to death of human lives, casualties on bodies and destruction and damage of properties while the State Government is making all efforts to restore peace and normalcy, it was added.

Such generation or spreading of wrong information will therefore amount to sedition and it was reminded that no person will be immune to prosecution under the laws of the country if he/she is found to be generating or spreading fake news, lies, rumours or misinformation. The State Government shall not hesitate to act as per law it was added. (UNI)