Warning shot

The Assam Rifles ambush shows that insurgency in Manipur is far from over.

- RABI BANERJEE

WHEN 18 JAWANS of the Army's 6 Dogra Regiment were killed in an ambush by Manipuri militants in June 2015, the Army responded with strikes on terrorist camps in Myanmar. A similar situation seems to be developing in Manipur after terrorists from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) gunned down Colonel Viplav Tripathi, commanding officer of 46 Assam Rifles, his wife, Anuja, and their six-year-old son, along with four soldiers on November 12.

After the attack, which took place in Churachandpur district near the Myanmar border, Manipur is teeming with security forces and capital Imphal is now a fortress. Choppers are airborne, performing aerial surveillance. You cannot expect us to stay silent,” said an Army officer. “Our senior officer and jawans are gone. Even the child was not spared. We will pay back in the same coin. Sources said Army chief General M.M. Naravane had cleared the decks for action.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said those who were behind the attack wanted to destabilise Manipur. I think some vested interests are behind the attack, said Singh. The people of Manipur expect a harsh response from the Army, especially because the family of a senior officer was targeted. It goes against our ethics, as we never kill women and children,” said Nimbo Mar, a surrendered militant.