Tackle attacks on security forces firmly, President tells govt

Saddened over the massacre of Army men in Manipur, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday asked the government to tackle random attacks on security forces with a firm hand.

“I call upon all authorities concerned to work in close concert to bring the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice and to maintain law and order in the state of Manipur,” the President, also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said.

Strongly condemning the “terror attack” on army personnel in Chandel district of Manipur, Pranab, in his message to Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh, expressed his extreme sadness over the incident in which a number of army personnel lost their lives and several were injured.

 “Such random attacks on security forces performing their duty must be put down with a firm hand,” he said.

“In this moment of grief, I offer my most profound condolences to the grieving families of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.  I am sure all possible aid is being provided to the bereaved families and medical assistance to the injured,” he said.

Separately, Congress party claimed an intelligence failure led to the ambush by insurgents in Manipur as it pointed fingers at the Narendra Modi government for its “ineffectiveness” in securing the border too.