Imphal, December 31, 2005: Reacting to news report of the underground UNLF accusing security force of using civilians as human shield in the recent operation at Loktak area the Army authorities rubbished the allegation as ‘absolutely false and baseless’.
The four persons killed in the December 27 operation were all cadres of the UNLF and slain in fire-fight which ensued after they (UGs) opened fired on the security column which approached the floating hut in which they were staying, said a PIB (DW) statement.
Security force also lost one soldier in the encounter, it said and clarified that no civilian were present in the vicinity of the encounter area in spite of which the security forces took maximum care to avoid civilian casualty, under any circumstances.
Also rubbishing UNLF allegations of using civilians as mine sweepers, the PIB statement maintained that the outfit had been planting IEDs wherever their cadres foray contrary to which the security forces had been rendering yeomen’s service to the people by detecting over 125 IEDs in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts as well as in Jiribam sub-division.
The security force deployed in the State are determined to bring peace and security in Manipur irrespective of false propaganda campaign by the underground, added the PIB statement.
Source: The Sangai Express
See also:
- Environmental Clearance of Tipaimukh Dam by MoEF (October 31st, 2008)
- Chakka bandh on Sep 18 against Tipaimukh dam (September 17th, 2008)
- 1 lakh Manipur villagers hit by bamboo flowering (September 2nd, 2008)
- Heavy security to be deployed on 99 km stretch of road to Tipaimukh dam (July 29th, 2008)
- Army launches Tipaimukh vigil (April 30th, 2008)