Security tightened to protect non-Manipuri labourers

IMPHAL: Manipur government has taken up certain security measures to protect the non-Manipuri migrant labourers following recent attacks on them by unidentified miscreants by exploding grenades with the latest attack occurring on June 27 night in which two non-locals were killed and three others seriously injured here, official sources said on Tuesday.

Official sources said various mobile check posts have been set up different places where there was huge concentration of non-local migrant labourers, adding that routine patrolling at these areas have been also been intensified.

Police inspectors, posted different parts of the state, have been called up and were being used at Imphal and other city areas to discharge their duties besides the normal routine work, sources said adding that mobile frisking to intercept miscreants has also been intensified at different places.

Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam who also holds the home portfolio had said some days ago that the government would not only intensify the security measures to protect the non-Manipuris but also try to find out the persons who were behind the attack on these people.

Official sources said June 27 incident at Uripok area here in which two non-locals were killed and three others injured when the unidentified miscreants hurled and exploded a powerful grenade at a rented house was the second such attack on non-locals this year.

Sources said unidentified persons had exploded a powerful grenade at a bakery factory at Chingmeirong area on the outskirts of Imphal on May 4 this year in which five persons, all non-local migrant labourers, were seriously injured.

In the past two years, official sources said at least 15 non-local migrant labourers have been killed at different places in Manipur.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for these incidents. But a paper attached to the back of a victim, about a year ago, read 'go back to your state,' sources added.