CM, Assam Rifles, families pay tribute to those killed in Manipur ambush at Imphal airport

The bodies of Col. Viplav Tripathi, his wife, their son, and four soldiers who were killed alongside them by terrorists Saturday in Churachandpur were brought to Imphal Sunday.

Mamta Bai Meena, wife of jawan RP Meena, after she lay flowers at her deceased's husband coffin | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Imphal: At the Imphal airport Sunday, wreaths were laid to honour the seven people who were killed in a terrorist ambush in Churachandpur district of Manipur the previous day.

Those killed included Col. Viplav Tripathi, commanding officer of an Assam Rifles battalion, his wife Anuja, eight-year-old son Abeer, and four soldiers — Suman Swargiary, Khatnei Konyak, R.P. Meena and Shyamal Das. Two proscribed organisations, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF), had claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the two organisations released pictures of 30 cadres brandishing Kalashnikov rifles who had carried out the attack.

The bodies arrived in Imphal Sunday and were taken for a post-mortem exam at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS). The post-mortem report is expected within a day.

The ceremony at the airport took place later in the day, and was attended by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. According to the PRO of the Assam Rifles, a “maximum representation” from the oldest paramilitary force of the Indian Army was also present.

Soldier R.P. Meena’s daughter lays flowers on the coffin carrying his body at Imphal airport Sunday | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh talks to security officials at the ceremony | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

An Assam Rifles soldier drapes the national flag over Col. Viplav Tripathi’s coffin | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Manipur CM Biren Singh at the wreath-laying ceremony | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Soldiers accompanying the CM lay a wreath on a coffin | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Assam Rifles personnel carrying Col. Viplav Tripathi’s coffin | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Manipur DGP L.M. Khaite accompanied by soldiers at the wreath-laying ceremony at Imphal airport| Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Col. Viplav Tripathi’s 8-year-old son Abeer was among those who lost their lives in Saturday’s ambush | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Jawans of the Assam Rifles carry another coffin | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Jawans take pictures and videos at the wreath-laying ceremony | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Jawans pay their respects to the deceased | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Manipur CM N. Biren Singh meets soldier R.P. Meena’s wife Mamta Bai Meena | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

R.P. Meena’s wife lays flowers on her husband’s coffin | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint