Manipur: Deputy CM escapes militant attack, security personnel injured

A police personnel was injured on Tuesday when unidentified militants attacked the security team deployed for the visit of Manipur’s deputy chief minister Gaikhangam in Khoupum area under Noney district.

A police personnel was injured on Tuesday when unidentified militants attacked the security team put in place for the visit of Manipur’s deputy chief minister Gaikhangam in Khoupum area under Noney district.

There have been several encounters between the rebel groups and security forces since March with at least 10 cadres having been killed. (Reuters File Photo)

Militants attacked two different places along the hilly Tongjei Maril route connecting Bishnupur and Noney districts when Gaikhangam was on his way to attend a flag-hoisting function related to the election campaign at his constituency of Khoupum, about 85 km west of Imphal, sources said.

The first incident occurred when a police team from the Nungba side was trying to clear the route near Thingkhongjang village around 8.30 am. State police from Bishnupur side was fired upon near Nungkaolong area around 12 noon in a second incident, according to reports. The injured policeman has been identified as Yumnam Jenish who was reportedly hit by a bullet on his thigh in the second incident.

Gaikhangam and his team of autonomous district council members and his security men were stranded for about 30 minutes near Nungkaolong but later proceeded to Khoupum under heavy security cover to formally launch the election campaign by holding the flag hoisting function.

No group had claimed responsibility for the day’s attack. The deputy chief minister has come back safely to Imphal, police said.

(With inputs from PTI)