Manipur: Security forces free 12 armed men after hours of standoff with angry mob of 1,200

Was expected to be uncontrollable. There was a possibility of loss from both sides by taking action against them. The local commander of the security forces took this decision very carefully, so that the situation there could be controlled. The arms and ammunition of the cadre were taken away and handed over to the local leader.

Twelve militants of Meitei militant group Kanglei Yavol Kanna Lup (KYKL), who were arrested in Manipur’s Itham village on Saturday, have been released. The army has given information in a statement behind why the militants have been released. The army said the militants were released, deciding not to put civilian lives at risk to end the nearly a day-long standoff. The army said these militants were released after being surrounded by a mob of over 1,200 people led by women.

The decision to hand over the militants to a local leader was taken keeping in view the sensitivity of action against an angry mob led by women and the likely fallout of such an action, the army further said. The army has also appreciated the commander in charge of the operation for this decision.

A standoff between the army and the mob, which numbered around 1,500 people, continued throughout the day on Saturday. During this, a mob led by women surrounded the army contingent and prevented the forces from proceeding with the operation. It is being told that among those hiding in the village was self-styled Lieutenant Colonel Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam, a wanted terrorist who could be the mastermind of the Dogra ambush tragedy.

The 12 militants released by the army were involved in several attacks. This includes the 2015 ambush on 6 Dogra units.