Imphal: The 1500-strong mob led by women surrounded the Army column and prevented forces from going ahead with the operation. After a stand off-between a mob led by women and security forces that had cordoned off Itham village in Imphal East where a dozen members of militant group KYKL were hiding, the Army took a mature decision to not risk civilian lives and left with seized weapons and ammunitions.
“Operations in Itham village in Imphal East District. Acting on specific intelligence, operation was launched in Village Itham (06 km East of Andro) in Imphal East by Security forces today morning”, tweeted Spear Corps, Indian Army.
The Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group was involved in numerous attacks, including the ambush of a 6 Dogra unit in 2015, they said. Among those holed up in the village was self-styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam, a wanted terrorist who may have been the mastermind of the Dogra ambush tragedy.
Manipur has been on fire for last almost two months. More than 100 people have died so far in the ethnic conflict. All the political parties demanded Modi government to convene an all-party meeting since past 50 days that was held yesterday. The main Opposition, Congress demanded the removal of chief minister N Biren Singh and the imposition of President’s Rule.