Heirok witnesses massive military build-up

Correspondent/OSR
TBL/IMP, Dec 19 : A massive military build-up which was said to be area domination exercise but looked like a war exercise  was seen today at Heirok, Thoubal district with military helicopters and drones hovering over the nearby hills and a large number of ground troops stationed in paddy fields as if the Indian armed forces were preparing to fight a formidable foreign military power.
The massive build-up and the military drill created a war-like situation, causing anxiety and fear among the local populace. It also went viral on the social media.
A large number of Indian armed forces and State security forces moved to Heirok since last morning.
Apart from the ground troops, military helicopters and drones hovered over the nearby hills (Heirok Mamang Ching).  
While a section of the military forces withdrew in the afternoon, a larger section set up camps at the foot of the hill.
Sources said that the massive military drill was an area domination exercise and it involved troops from 9 Sector Assam Rifles, AR troops stationed at Khongjom and other AR units.
The troops took positions at different places of Heirok Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 since last night.
At some places, the military personnel carried out searches using sniffer dogs. At the same time, drones hovered above and kept a sharp vigil.
The AR troops surrounded the areas which are connected to Wabaching and Thamlai villages of Tengnoupal district.
From around 7 am today, military helicopters made repeated sorties and air-dropped para-commandos at Nganupat who then moved to Heirok Mamang Ching.
A column of the AR troops which went up to Naga villages of Teng-noupal district were seen coming back in the evening.
Moreover, Thoubal District Police and BSF personnel who took part in the area domination exercise  too went back in the evening.
However, the para-commandos air-dropped from military helicopters at Nganupat and moved to Heirok Mamang Ching with large knapsacks were not seen coming back till late evening.
It could not be ascertained till the time of filing this report whether there was any arrest or recovery of weapons during the area domination exercise which went on till around 4.30 pm.
Taking serious note of the sudden and inexplicable military build-up and drill, the Heirok Apunba Club and local Meira Paibis held a press meet at Heirok this afternoon.
Heirok Apunba Club advisor M Rameswor asked whether the Government has any impression that the recent attack against displaced families at Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai were carried out by the people of Heirok.
He went on to question as to why the Government is creating a fear psychosis and a panicky situation in the otherwise peaceful region of Heirok by amassing a large number of military personnel while no visible military operations have been carried out till date in the hill areas adjoining Torbung to nab those people who attacked innocent civilians with sophisticated firearms and bombs on December 16, 2025.
The sudden deployment of a huge number of military personnel with drones hovering in the sky and military helicopters flying at low altitude has created a war-like situation and terrified the people of Heirok and nearby areas, Rameswor said.
The aged and the sick are fearing the worst, he said before appealing to the Government not to create such a war-like situation  and traumatize the innocent citizens ever again.