Photo credit Bikash Singh via X @bikash_ET
In a grim incident, Moreh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand lost his life in Manipur’s Moreh when he was shot by suspected militants. The tragic event occurred while Anand was inspecting a newly constructed helipad at the Eastern ground in the border town. Despite being rushed to a nearby health center, he succumbed to his injuries.
In response, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed deep sorrow over the ‘cold-blooded killing’ of Anand. He took to social media, stating, “Deeply saddened by the cold-blooded killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand, OC Moreh Police this morning. His dedication to serve and protect the people will always be remembered. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
This unfortunate incident follows recent demands from various civil society organizations, especially those in Moreh, calling for the withdrawal of state forces from the border town. The backdrop of this tragedy is the widespread violence that has plagued Manipur since May 3, when clashes erupted in Churachandpur town. These clashes were triggered by protests against a proposed change to the state’s reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community.
Since the initial clashes, the violence has escalated, highlighting the deep-rooted ethnic tensions in the state. Shockingly, the toll stands at 175 lives lost and over 50,000 people displaced. The aftermath has left Manipur scarred, with homes, businesses, and places of worship destroyed. The state has also grappled with a prolonged internet blackout. Additionally, mobs targeted police stations and armouries, looting a significant number of arms and ammunition, with only a fraction being recovered so far. The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore peace and bring those responsible for the violence to justice.
