File photo of SDPO Chingtham Anand (Photo credit: Twitter/@dhiraj_luwang)
Imphal: In a shocking incident in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district on Tuesday, a senior police officer was shot dead by suspected militants. The deceased police officer has been identified as SDPO Chingtham Anand who was posted in Moreh town. Notably, Moreh town is dominated by the Kuki-Zo community people.
A police team ambushed by militants
According to the reports, Moreh SDPO Chingtham Anand sustained bullet injuries after several militants fired on a police team when they were carrying out an inspection of the newly constructed helipad at Eastern ground in Tengnoupal’s Moreh. Shortly after the incident, Anand was shifted to a primary health centre for treatment. He later succumbed to the bullet injuries.
Manipur CM saddened by Anand’s killing
Saddened by the cold-blooded killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the perpetrators will be brought to justice very soon.
Compensation announced for Anand’s kin
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Manipur government later convened an emergency meeting and announced Rs 50 lakh as compensation for the next of the kin of Anand. The slain police officer was a resident of Haobam Marak in Manipur’s Imphal.
Joint operation to be launched to arrest perpetrators
Condemning Anand’s killing, the Manipur government also instructed the security forces to conduct a joint operation in Moreh to arrest the perpetrators. The government has also decided to deploy additional security forces personnel in the area for the purpose.
Ethnic clashes in Manipur
Over 180 people have been killed and thousands displaced since the clashes broke out between Meitis and Kukis in Manipur on May 3. The violence spiralled in the state due to a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ that was held to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Also Read: Bihar shocker: 4 boys tied to pole, thrashed on suspicion of stealing biscuits, kurkure
