CRPF Constable Killed in Firefight with Militants in Manipur's Jiribam

A CRPF constable on Sunday lost his life in Manipur's Jiribam district during an exchange of fire with suspected militants in Mongbung village.

The incident occurred when a joint team of Manipur police and CRPF entered the village, encountering armed resistance. The firefight began around 9:30 a.m., resulting in the death of Ajay Kumar Jha, a 43-year-old constable from Bihar, who was fatally injured in the line of duty.

In a statement honoring the fallen constable, CRPF said, "On 14 July 2024, during an ambush by militants on a joint party of 20 Battalion #CRPF and State Police at Jiribam, Manipur, brave Constable Driver Ajay Kumar Jha sacrificed his life in the line of duty."

Manipur police reported that one sub-inspector from Jiribam police station and another state police employee were also injured in the gunfire exchange. The security forces had been conducting routine checks following a previous night's firing incident in the area when they came under attack from multiple locations with sophisticated weaponry.

Thomas Thokchom, additional superintendent of police in Jiribam, confirmed that the joint team of CRPF and state police encountered heavy firing near the Mongbung and Sejang village border. Ajay Kumar Jha sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Jiribam district hospital. The injured personnel are currently receiving treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the attack and expressed condolences on social media, blaming "suspected Kuki militants" for the violence. The opposition Congress also weighed in, lamenting the escalating violence in Manipur and criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what they perceived as a lack of response to the situation.

Since May 2023, Manipur has been rocked by ethnic clashes which have claimed over 220 lives and displaced more than 50,000 people.​