Imphal, Dec 28: At least four persons including a TV Journalist and a security personnel were injured after suspected militants fired in Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages in Imphal East district on Saturday, officials said.

A police official said that the militants fired indiscriminately at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages from the hilltop injuring a local TV Journalist, a security personnel and two civilians.

TV Journalist L. Kabichandra sustained bullet injuries on his left thigh.

All the injured were rushed to the hospital.

“The militants fired in the Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages on Friday night and Saturday morning. These villages are situated in Imphal East district adjoining tribal inhabited Kangpokpi district,” the official said.

Additional security forces led by senior police officials have rushed to the areas and launched search operations to nab the militants.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday strongly condemned the indiscriminate firing by militants in Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi areas.

Singh, in a post on X, said, “Strongly condemn the indiscriminate firing by Kuki militants at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi in Imphal East, which injured civilians and security personnel.

This cowardly and unprovoked attack on innocent lives is an assault on peace and harmony.

Adequate security personnel have been rushed to the affected areas. The injured are receiving necessary medical assistance, and the government calls for calm and unity in the face of such challenges.”

Central forces and state police should have proper coordination and understanding when dealing with such situations, the chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, search operations and area domination were conducted by the Central and state security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.

Movement of vehicles carrying essential items, food grains and transport fuel along the two vital National Highways — NH-37 and NH-2 — has been ensured with adequate security.

Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.

In a separate incident, seven acres of illegal poppy cultivation were destroyed by a combined team of security forces and forest department officials at T. Lhanghoimol areas in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Friday.

Jaipur, Dec 28: Another victim of the Jaipur LPG tanker blast and fire succumbed to his burn injuries on Saturday, taking the death toll to 20 in the devastating accident that occurred around eight days ago.

Eight more victims remain in critical condition, battling severe burn injuries.

According to officials, Salim, a resident of Ajmer, passed away during treatment at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday.

Following a postmortem conducted by the medical board, his body will be handed over to his family.

The tragic accident occurred on December 20 along the Jaipur-Ajmer highway, leaving 27 individuals with burns covering up to 80 per cent of their bodies.

Many sustained burns ranging from 50 per cent to 55 per cent, including Salim, who was accompanied by his brother during his hospital stay.

His brother, who had remained hopeful for his recovery after eight days of treatment, received the heartbreaking news of Salim’s death on Saturday morning.

Dr. Rakesh Jain, a burn specialist at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMSH), stated that the medical team has been working tirelessly to treat the injured and improve recovery outcomes.

He emphasised that every possible effort is being made to provide best care for the patients.

“Our team has been busy treating the injured patients and making every possible effort to increase the recovery rate of patients. The team of doctors is trying to provide the best possible treatment,” said Jain.

Meanwhile, the burn victims, admitted to the burn unit of the SMS Hospital in Jaipur, have sustained injuries covering nearly 50 per cent of their bodies.

The accident claimed the lives of four individuals on the spot, while eight others died during treatment at SMS Hospital on the same day and one death occurred at Jaipuria Hospital.

The blaze was so intense that five victims had to be identified through DNA analysis.

Among them was former IAS officer Karni Singh, whose identity was confirmed through DNA samples provided by his daughter.

Fifteen injured individuals have since been discharged from the hospital, but doctors warn that the deep burns have caused significant damage to healthy tissues, with long-term effects on the liver and kidneys for several victims.

In response to the accident, the Central Transport Ministry removed NHAI regional officer Dinesh Chaturvedi on Friday, December 27, transferring him to Delhi. Abdul Basil has been appointed as his replacement.

Meanwhile, the concerned authorities, including NHAI, police, and other departments, continue to shift blame over the causes of the incident.

New Delhi, Dec 28: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will kickstart its poll campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing his first Parivartan Rally on December 29 in Rohini.

As per a top BJP source, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address his first Parivartan Rally in Delhi and blow the bugle for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election due in February 2025.”

The source also said that another rally by the Prime Minister is scheduled to be held on January 3, 2025.

PM Modi likely to announce something big for Delhi in the rally. His other big rally is slated on January 3, 2025″, the source added.

On December 29, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new Metro line in Rithala and address a public meeting in Japanese Park, Rohini, BJP sources said.

On January 3, he will inaugurate several projects in Northeast Delhi, the Lok Sabha constituency of BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, including the inauguration of the New Delhi-Saharanpur highway, and address a public meeting after the official programme, they said.

Special focus is on Najafgarh and South Delhi regions and with the PM’s meeting the party will reach out to voters, they said.

BJP MPs Kamlajeet Sehrawat, Yogendra Chandolia and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri have been made the in-charges for Sunday’s (December 29) programme.

Although the Election Commission of India has not yet announced the dates for the elections of the 70-member Delhi Assembly. However, the elections are likely to be held in February next year.

The term of the current Assembly in Delhi ends on February 23, 2025.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, seeks to retain power in Delhi for a third consecutive term following their electoral successes in 2015 and 2020.

The party won 67 seats in 2015 and 63 in 2020 in the 70-member Delhi Assembly.

On December 24, the BJP held a brainstorming session with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the BJP headquarters extension office in Delhi.

The leaders discussed better coordination between the BJP and RSS in the election.

According to a top source in the BJP, “A key meeting was held between the BJP and RSS regarding the Delhi Assembly elections at the BJP headquarters in Delhi today. Arun Kumar, who is overseeing the coordination of the BJP on behalf of the Sangh, reviewed the Delhi elections with BJP leaders.”