Armed militants suspected to NSCN (IM) took state forces guarding a railway workstation in Tamenglong district by surprise and whisked away nine INSAS rifles this morning, according to sources.
The workstation at Nungkao village was guarded by a combined force of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Manipur Rifles (MR).
Although there are no reports of any casualty, reports said some weapons were taken away by the attackers.
Police sources said, some well armed militants suspected to be NSCN (IM) attacked the IRB/MR outpost at Nungkao in the interior of Tousem sub-division in Tamenglong district, about 70 kms from Imphal at around 11 am today.
“Yes there is report of an attack by suspected NSCN (IM) cadres at a post of the IRB and MR. The personnel at the post returned the fire and there was a brief exchange of fire. There is no casualty,” a senior police officer said.
Asked about the loss of weapons the officer said that nothing has been confirmed so far.
“Senior officers rushed to the area, which is located in the interior areas of Tamenglong district. We have not been able to contact the officers,” the officer added.
The post was opened for guarding equipments and labourers working for railway line construction. Construction of railway line from Jiribam district to Imphal is underway. The post has strength of one platoon (40 to 50 personnel).
This is the fourth attack carried out by suspected cadres of the NSCN (IM) in the past three days.
On Dec 15, suspected NSCN-IM militants attacked two police teams on road opening duty in Tengnoupal district deployed for the security of chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s inauguration of newly created Tengnoupal district.
Three police personnel were killed and eight others wounded in the twin attacks.
In the same day at night, suspected NSCN (IM) cadres fired on a police team deployed for inauguration of the newly created Noney district by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh yesterday.
Three police personnel were wounded in the firing.
It may be mentioned here that NSCN (IM) which is in talks with government of India has been opposing creation of the new districts.
The Ibobi government had created seven new districts by bifurcating seven existing districts on December 8. Four of the bifurcated districts are dominated by the Nagas.
Additional police reinforcements were rushed to Nungkao after the attack.
Source: Imphal Free Press
