No info on Army strikes in Myanmar: Manipur

The Manipur government on Monday categorically denied of having any information on “surgical strikes” on June 8 along the Indo-Myanmar border or about the “significant casualties” inflicted on militants as claimed by the Indian Army.

This state government’s disclosure has given another twist to the much-hyped covert operation of Indian Army special forces, believed to have taken place “inside” Myanmar’s territory. Myanmar has already denied any Indian Army or joint operation on its territory.

On Monday, during Question Hour  in the Manipur Assembly, MLA Samauel Risom asked whether there was any truth behind media reports on Indian Army’s claims, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam categorically stated that it has no information on such strikes.

Risom cited reports published in a leading national dailies about the death of no less then 83 militants in the clinical strikes by Indian Army’s special forces.

Gaikhangam said two militants identified as NSCN(K) cadre Rangjanglung Kamei alias Raja (32) and the KYKL’s Keisham Rajen Singh (28), were killed on June 4 during retaliatory attacks by the Indian Army after their convoy was ambushed near Paraolon village in Chandel district. The Deputy CM further stated that the state government has no information on the number of militants killed in the aftermath of the ambush.

He, however, added that the state has reports of villagers fleeing their homes due to military operations in and around the ambush site while assuring the House that government officials are visiting the remote villages to make sure the civilians do not face any shortage of essential goods since a tight vigil is continuing in the area.

Meanwhile, a cornered NSCN(K) hit back, saying if it is banned again, as suggested by some reports, it will impose a counter-ban on security forces in Naga-inhabited areas, and raise the issue of “Indian occupation inside Naga territory” at international fora.