Imphal: Source say Leaders of the Moreh Defence Force (MDF), Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and his associate Hemkholal Mate, have admitted to playing a role in the murder of Moreh SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar.
They have also disclosed that Kuki militants from Myanmar have been working with Kuki militant groups in the State to carry out operations in the Moreh area of Manipur.
Nine people have been detained by Manipur Police in relation to SDPO Anandkumar’s murder on October 31 of last year. Seven of them, including one national from Myanmar, are being held in judicial detention at the moment, and the other two primary suspects have been remanded to police custody so that the case may be looked into further.
At approximately 9:40 a.m. on October 31, Kuki insurgents attacked a joint team of Tengnoupal District Police, Special Commando, and 5th IRB at Eastern Elementary School Shine School, located in Ward No. 7 of Moreh Turel Wangma, while police officers were sanitizing the playground.
A bullet struck SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar Singh in the stomach. Despite being sent to PHC, Moreh right away, he died from his wounds. A search was carried out at many locations in Moreh early on November 1.
One handgun with a silencer was discovered during the search operation inside a derelict home across from Eastern Sunshine Playground in Canan Veng. The gun was taken by police and Moreh Ward No 7.
Additionally, search efforts were carried out at Zion Veng, Moreh, Munnom Village of Moreh, and Yangoupokpi Village early on November 4, 2023. Letngam Lupho (55), the son of Jangkhothang Lupho of Yangoupokpi hamlet, was found during the search was taken into custody at noon, along with some weapons and ammunition.
The same day, at around 2:00 pm, another accused person, Jamkhohao Lupho (47), the son of Lhunkhopao Lupho of Yangoupokpi village, was taken into custody along with a few explosives that were in his hands.
On the same day, five more suspects—among them a Myanmar national—were also taken into custody in relation to the investigation.
These were identified as Letgoulen Doungel (25) of Zion Veng near Moreh Sub Divisional Hospital, George Holkhosat Khongsai (24) of Munnom Veng, Jacob Ngamjathang Khongsai of Munnom Veng, Jangkhohao Haokip (34) of Zion Veng, Jangkhomang Baite (21) of Holkhozam Baite of Munnom Veng, and Ma Mong Shu (26), who was the late son of Mong Thong of Namphalong, Myanmar.
Additional research revealed that the individuals in custody are active members of the Moreh Defence Force (MDF) and the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), which the UKLF established and trained.
According to accounts, they were also involved in plundering valuables and other goods from Meitei residences in Moreh, as well as burning down or wrecking dwellings.
Philip Khaikholal Khongsai is the MDF’s leader.
The relevant Court remanded all seven of them to judicial custody on November 18 of last year.
Subsequent inquiry revealed that heavily armed Kuki militants operating in the border town, a group of Kuki militants from Myanmar, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and his associate Hemkholal Mate, who is also the leader of the village volunteer force, were involved in the killing of SDPO Anandkumar and attacks on security forces disclosed.
On July 26, 2023, they also attacked security personnel (both State and Central forces stationed in Moreh), set fire to or destroyed homes, and stole valuables and other items from Meitei households in Moreh.
A joint team of Moreh Police and Special Commando detained Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate on January 15 from the vicinity of Moreh College. They also seized weapons, ammo, and explosives from their belongings. The two were formally taken into prison by Moreh Police on January 29 and held there for a period of 12 days, till February 9.
