Imphal: In a most significant and historic move, Chief Minister Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh today visited Sinai Camp, a designated camp of Suspension of Operations (SoO) militants in Kangpokpi District. The Sinai camp was disarmed and taken over by the CRPF following joint operations conducted by the CoBRA Unit of CRPF, Manipur Police and other security agencies recently. The operation was carried out in the aftermath of recent killing of three innocent firewood collectors at Nongshum in Imphal East district. During the operation, 17 individuals impersonating registered SoO cadres using false identities were only found in the camp. The camp was supposed to house about 150 cadres.
The Sinai camp was the designated camp of the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), which are under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. This is the first ever visit by a sitting Chief Minister to a designated camp under the SoO.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Government Spokesperson and MLA of Heirok Assembly Constituency Shri Th. Radheshyam during the visit.
Upon his arrival at Sinai, Khemchand Singh inspected the entire camp premises and briefed by officers of the CRPF and Assam Rifles on the operations conducted and the prevailing law and order situation in the area.
While interacting with senior security officers and personnel, Khemchand Singh commended the CRPF’s CoBRA Battalion for its courage and valour, particularly for its leading role in the successful operation that led to total control of the camp. He maintained that due care must be taken to ensure innocent civilians are not affected by combing operations. He directed the security personnel that we are here to protect the lives and properties of the people. He stated that Manipur cannot progress or achieve lasting peace as long as a gun culture exists. He appealed to the people of the State to shun violence, surrender illegal arms and join hands towards restoring peace and harmony in the State.
Later, Khemchand Singh also interacted with CSOs and villagers of the area.
IG, CRPF (M&N) Sector, Homkar Amol Vinukant, IG of Manipur Police Kamei Angam Romanus, DIG of Manipur Police N. Herojit Meetei, DIG of CRPF Rajesh Kumar, Colonel Radha Krishnan of Assam Rifles, Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi district, SPs of Kangpokpi and Imphal East and other senior officers of other security agencies were also present during the visit.
