A police officer lost his life in Moreh, Manipur, on Tuesday (31 October) when he was shot by suspected militants. The tragic incident occurred as Moreh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand was inspecting a newly constructed helipad at the Eastern ground in the border town.

The SDPO was swiftly transported to a primary health center in Moreh, but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries. In response, the police have launched an operation to apprehend the militants behind the attack, Hindustan Times reported.

Manipur’s Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, expressed his deep sorrow at the “cold-blooded killing” of Anand. He emphasised Anand’s dedication to serving and protecting the people and vowed to ensure that the perpetrators face justice.

This incident follows recent demands from civil society organisations, particularly those based in Moreh, for the removal of state forces from the border town.

Manipur has been grappling with widespread violence since clashes erupted on 3 May in Churachandpur town. The clashes stemmed from protests against a proposed modification to the state’s reservation matrix, which would grant scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. The violence subsequently spread throughout the state, where deep-seated ethnic tensions exist.

Since then, the state has witnessed at least 175 casualties and the displacement of over 50,000 people. Numerous homes have been looted and burned, businesses have suffered losses, education has been disrupted, places of worship have been reduced to ashes, and the state has endured a prolonged period without internet access.

Reports indicate that mobs have plundered 5669 firearms and around 5 lakh rounds of ammunition from police stations and armories, with only approximately 1,300 of these items recovered by the first week of October.