Imphal :  Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that his government stands for firm and decisive actions for the restoration of peace under the rule of law for the welfare of the general masses during the challenging hours.

He also sought the cooperation of the general masses in the retaliation actions of the security forces in the aftermath of the ambush by the militants on his advance security team in Noney district on the NH 37 Imphal to Silchar via Jiribam on Monday.

Talking to the newsmen upon his arrival at Imphal airport from the national capital after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, N Biren Singh on Monday said that the actions of the militants appeared to be a mockery of state machinery and law enforcement personnel.

He was speaking in the backdrop of a security team advancing before the Chief Minister’s visit to Jiribam was ambushed by arms militants at T Laijang, near Kotland, on National Highway 37  at approximately 10:30 am on Monday.

One security personnel Moirangthem Ajesh alias Bobo (28) was injured in the attack and is being treated at the Shija Hospital, Imphal. The CM said that the attack on the advance convoy was taken as a direct attack on the chief minister himself.

 “Earlier, we have not taken harsh actions against those who attacked and killed the innocents and security forces,” the CM said, adding that the real/genuine actions of the government forces will be forced in due course.

Strongly, condemning the act of the militants as barbaric the CM vowed to take necessary action. The Chief Minister is scheduled to official visit to Jiribam on Tuesday after a large-scale violence in this district in the past few days.

Meanwhile, in response to the ambush, security forces — state police, CRPF, India Reserved Battalion, and Assam Rifles have launched an extensive search operation in the area to locate and apprehend the militants responsible for the attack.