Imphal. The Manipur government has withdrawn its claim made a few days ago in which it had said that 900 Kuki militants may attack remote villages of Imphal Valley around September 28. The state government said, “There is no possibility of any planned misadventure by armed groups and this apprehension is baseless.” A joint statement issued by Security Advisor Kuldeep Singh and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh on Wednesday said, “On the information regarding infiltration of 900 trained Kuki militants from Myanmar to attack the people of Meitei community on September 28, various communities have been alerted. After the responses received from the Ministry, this information has been verified from various sources, but we have not found anything like this on the ground level. At present there is no basis to believe any such information.”
The statement said, “Security forces are on high alert for the safety of civilians. “All communities have been assured of their safety.” It says, “People are advised not to believe any kind of rumor or unconfirmed news.” The security advisor had said on September 20 that following information regarding a plan by people of the Kuki community to attack remote villages in the Imphal Valley, security forces had taken several steps for this. He said that news of the activities of these militants was coming for the last three-four days. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Chief Minister N. Geoffrey said that this office had shared intelligence based on the information about armed groups infiltrating here… so that the police department could use its machinery and network to get to the bottom of the said information and take action.
He said, “It has now become clear that the chances of armed groups committing such audacity are very less. People need not worry in this regard.” Manipur Congress MLA T Lokeshwar had on Wednesday expressed concern over Kuldeep Singh’s claim that 900 Kuki militants had entered the state as it had spread panic in the outlying villages of Imphal Valley. He had demanded clarity on this claim.
Lokeshwar said, “This claim of Singh has created a stir in the remote villages of Imphal. They should explain the basis of their claims and explain what measures have been taken to prevent the entry of militants. “Villagers should not live under the shadow of fear.” The security advisor had said on September 20 that the security forces are on high alert as information has been received that militants have entered the state to target border villages and they may attack around September 28. He said that these planned attacks could happen “any day around September 28”. He confirmed that intelligence information has been shared between various security agencies.