Four MLAs camping at Moreh to diffuse tension

Imphal, June 13 (UNI) Four MLAs and representatives of various organizations of Manipur were camping at Moreh, Chandel district, which has witnessed clashes between two groups that led to the death of about 14 people so far.

Senior ministers TN Haokip and Ph Parijat and five other MLAs came back from Moreh during the day after discussing the situation with the representatives of various communities last night.

Police said heavy gun battle between militants and Indian Reserve Battalion at the border town had been continuing for the last few days and a jawan of IRB was killed so far.

The militants were gaining ground at the border town and IRB personnel were forced to retreat as the militants were using heavy guns, police said.

Additional forces had been rushed to Moreh, police said.

Meanwhile, the JAC against the brutal killing of innocent persons at Moreh inked an MoU with the government last night.

Officials said five victims were cremated last night under tight security at Imphal East.

The JAC had called a 24-hour general strike yesterday to protest the killings at the border town.

Officials said a Magisterial enquiry would be ordered to find out the cause of the incident and security lapses, if any, and to suggest measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.

The report of the enquiry would be submitted to the state government within one month.

Adequate security forces of the state would be maintained at Moreh to maintain law and order and the 'inaction' of the Assam Rifles posted at Moreh would be reviewed and their role in the issue would be discussed in the next meeting of the Unified Command, officials said. The Assam Rifles had been charged with helping a militant outfit in the area.

Officials said the border trade continued to be disrupted from May last and prohibitory orders were still in force in the border town and attempts were made to send supply to Moreh to help villagers, who were lodging in camps out of fear.

UNI