New Delhi: The advance security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was ambushed by suspected Kuki militants on Monday. The attack took place when the convoy was en route to the Jiribam district via NH37, reported Imphal Free Press.
Two individuals were wounded in the attack, which occurred near K Sinam village in Kangpokpi district. CM Singh was not present during the attack, as his visit to Jiribam was scheduled for Tuesday.
The Jiribam district, has been witnessing an escalation in tensions, as part of the ongoing ethnic conflict raging across Manipur since last year.
The two people injured have been identified as a police officer and a 28-year-old civilian, who sustained critical injuries.
The security personnel present with the convoy engaged in gunfire with the attackers, after the convoy was ambushed, reported Imphal Free Press.
CM Singh condemned the attack and said that there is a need for immediate and decisive action.
“It is very unfortunate and highly condemnable. It is an attack directly on the Chief Minister, directly on the people of the state. So, the state government has to do something and hence, I will take a call from all of my colleagues and we will make a decision”, said CM Singh.
CM Singh said that the attack targeted the chief minister’s office in Manipur and termed it as a reprehensible act against the state’s leadership.
The Chief Minister said that after the incident, at first he couldn’t believe that it was the convoy of his security team that was attacked.
Violence In the Jiribam district, where CM Singh was scheduled to visit, has been going on unabated, with armed Kuki miscreants reportedly dismantling several key bridges, causing significant disruption and threatening the connectivity of the area, reported Ukhrul Times.
The bridges targeted included the Harinagar bridge, which was dismantled, following which Assam Rifles personnel had to intervene and worked on repairing it, said the Ukhrul Times report.
