Manipur: Abducted woman rescued two days after firing along India-Myanmar border; Assam Rifles intensify ops

Imphal, May 9 Two days after heavy firing and explosions rocked Manipur's Kamjong district along the India-Myanmar border, the Assam Rifles on Saturday safely rescued an abducted woman, officials said.

Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat said that following sustained and coordinated efforts by the Assam Rifles, abducted woman Olina Ningshen was successfully released on Saturday.

She had been abducted from Namlee village during the violence and firing incidents on Thursday.

According to the Spokesman, the release was organised south of Z Choro village, close to the incident site, under the close supervision of the Assam Rifles and other security agencies.

The woman's husband, the village headman and representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) were taken to Humine Thana, near Phaikoh and close to the handover point, after the Assam Rifles secured her safe release.

Following the rescue, the family members and CSO representatives were escorted to the local Assam Rifles headquarters at Chassad for formal handover procedures and documentation.

The family, village headman and CSO members, visibly relieved and happy after the successful rescue, later returned safely to their village, Khangpat Khn.

Liutenant Colonel Rawat said the entire operation was meticulously coordinated by the Assam Rifles, including arrangements for a detailed medical examination and psychological assistance for the rescued woman.

Highlighting the role of the force, the Spokesman said that the Assam Rifles, the country's oldest paramilitary force, has a distinguished history marked by numerous honours and awards.

In the early hours of Thursday, unrest and violence were reported near Z Choro and opposite Namlee village along the India-Myanmar border.

Despite difficult terrain and challenging operational conditions, troops of the Assam Rifles responded swiftly and brought the volatile situation under control.

Acting proactively during the violence, the Assam Rifles deployed multiple rescue teams in the affected areas.

At least 10 houses affected by the violence were secured, while residents were evacuated to safer locations nearby.

Fifteen distressed villagers, including women and children, were rescued and provided humanitarian assistance at the Aloyo Assam Rifles camp.

An injured woman was administered immediate first aid and provided medical evacuation support.

Simultaneously, Assam Rifles personnel carried out sanitisation and search operations to prevent further escalation of violence and restore normalcy in the area.

During the operations, one armed cadre identified as Lal Thag John, 38, was apprehended from Churachandpur district along with a sophisticated weapon, a magazine and ammunition.

He was later handed over to the local police authorities, Lieutenant Colonel Rawat added.

Even as tensions remain high in the border region, Assam Rifles personnel continue intensive patrolling in all sensitive areas of Kamjong district to ensure peace and security for local residents.

The Spokesman said the force has once again demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment in handling the volatile situation.

"Assam Rifles remains unwavering in its commitment towards protecting citizens and maintaining peace in the Northeast," he added.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh strongly condemned the Kamjong district violence.

Earlier, a police official said that armed militants, suspected to belong to Kuki insurgent groups, attacked villages in Kamjong district near the India-Myanmar border on Thursday.

The militants reportedly targeted the Tangkhul Naga villages of Namlee, Wanglee and Choro under the Kasom Khullen police station area, torching several houses and forcing residents to flee.

Villagers reportedly took shelter in nearby forests to escape the violence and firing.

According to the police, the affected mountainous villages are located less than one kilometre from the India-Myanmar border.

An elderly woman identified as Khin Htwe Yei sustained injuries while attempting to flee during the attack, officials said.

Security forces, including the Assam Rifles, rushed to the affected villages immediately after the incident, launched operations and subsequently brought the situation under control.

Five Manipur districts -- Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong and Ukhrul -- share a 398-km unfenced international border with Myanmar.

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