Security Forces are conducting combing operations in Jiribam areas to arrest the culprits involved in the heinous and terrorist act of killing many including women and children, Chief Minister   N. Biren Singh told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday evening at the Durbar Hall, Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Two companies of CRPF were rushed to Jiribam immediately in the aftermath of the recent spate of violence and another five companies were rushed recently, the Chief Minister said adding that search and combing operation will continue until the culprits are arrested and booked under the law.

N. Biren Singh also said that in an unfortunate incident, a man identified as Laishram Kamal Babu has gone missing since Monday after visiting the Leimakhong Army camp. He added that a Zero FIR has been registered in this connection with the Sekmai Police and that a combined team of State Force, Paramilitary and the Army are trying to trace the missing person.

The Chief Minister further highlighted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has re-registered cases in connection with the recent spate of violence in Jiribam leading to the killing of many including women and children.

The NIA, the Chief Minister said, has issued a press release regarding the re-registering of three cases. The first case relates to the killing of two civilians, abduction and subsequent killing of six civilians including women and children, the second case relates to the attack on a CRPF post located at Jakuradhor Karong and Borobekra Police Stations, Jiribam by armed miscreants and recovery of dead bodies of armed militants and arms and ammunition from the vicinity of the attack. The third case relates to the murder of another woman at Jiribam, he said.

The NIA has also started its investigation and identifying individuals involved, he said.

The Chief Minister observed that due to the gravity and the complexity of the present situation in the State, the government is unable to issue updates as frequently as the people would have wanted. There are certain elements who are waiting to sabotage anything announced by the government, he added.

The government is not sitting idle, he said, stressing that security forces considered neutral like CRPF and BSF by the people of Manipur have been stationed at certain vulnerable and fringe areas in order to bring peace and normalcy to the State.

 N. Biren Singh reiterated that on November 18, the NDA legislators of the State in a meeting had adopted certain resolutions which included urging the Centre to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the limits of the six police stations where the Act was recently reimposed, conduct mass combing operations to nab the culprits involved in the heinous and terrorising act of killing civilians in Jiribam, declare the organisations involved as terrorists, urge the Centre to direct the NIA to take up the case related to the killing of civilians in Jiribam.

Out of these demands, the Centre has already acted on many, he said adding that the State government and the NDA legislators are ever ready to join the people in further seeking the remaining demands like declaring the involved organisations as terrorists, repeal of AFSPA from the limits of the six Police Stations.

However, since many of the demands have been already met by the Central government, violent agitations which could disturb the general public and hamper peace in the State should be avoided, the Chief Minister appealed.

The Chief Minister concluded with an appeal to all CSOs and people of the State including the COCOMI to not continue with agitations so that schools, colleges, offices and economic activities may continue without disturbances and allow SFs to guard the few vulnerable areas.

During the press conference, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister  Thongam Biswajit Singh, Minister  Konthoujam Govindas, Minister  Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, Minister Heikham Dingo Singh, Minister Thounaojam Basantakumar Singh, Minister  Khashim Vashum, Hill Area Committee Chairman  HAC Dinganglung Gangmei, MLAs Thongam Shanti Singh,  Khongbantabam Ibomcha Singh, Sanasam Premchandra Singh,  Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh.  

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