Manipur: 12 cadres of banned KYKL group released after mob stops Army

The Army has to release as many as 12 cadres of a banned militant group in Manipur, who were apprehended at Itham Village, Imphal East district, after a mob led by women prevented the security forces from going ahead with the operation.

The cadres belonged to Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup (KYKL), a proscribed Meitei outfit. The group had ambushed an Army convoy in Manipur’s Chandel district in 2015 killing 18 personnel.

The militants were apprehended during a cordon and search operation was conducted in Itham Village under Imphal East district, at around 2:00 PM on June 24, 2023. The Army said after acting on specific intelligence, the operation was launched in Itham village, about 6 Km East of Andro, in Imphal East by Security Forces.

"Specific search after laying cordon was undertaken to avoid hardships to other locals in the area. In the ensuing operation, 12 KYKL cadres were apprehended along with arms, ammunition and war-like stores," Army said.

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Acting on specific intelligence, operation was launched in Village Itham (06 km East of Andro) in Imphal East by Security Forces today morning. Specific search after laying cordon was… pic.twitter.com/7ZH9Jp8nOI

— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 24, 2023

Positive Identification of Self Styled Lt. Col. Moirangthem Tamba, alias Uttam (Mastermind of 6 DOGRA ambush case of 2015), amongst the 12 apprehended cadres was done, it added.

The Army said a mob of approximately 1200- 1500 led by women and the local leader immediately surrounded the target area and prevented Security Forces from going ahead with the operation.

"Repeated appeals to the aggressive mob to let the Security Forces carry on with operation as per law did not yield any positive result," Army said in a tweet.

Keeping in view the sensitivity of use of kinetic force against the large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, the Army had considered and took decision to hand over all the 12 extremist cadre to the local leader.

The Army columns thereafter lifted the cordon and left the area with weapons and War Like Stores recovered from insurgents.

"Mature decision on part of Operational Commander shows humane face of the Indian Army to avoid any collateral damage during the ongoing unrest in Manipur," it added.

The Indian Army appealed to the people of Manipur to assist the Security Forces in maintaining law and order to bring peace and stability.