Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday paid his respect to the three Assam Rifles soldiers who were martyred in an ambush near Khongtal area in the state’s Chandel district.

Chief Minister Biren Singh along with MLA L Sushindro (Khurai) led military officers in laying wreaths to the mortal remains of the soldiers of 4 Assam Rifles at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport on Friday morning.

“There is no place for violence in a democratic country like India. The government would not remain a silent spectator. The perpetrators would be definitely tracked down,” Singh said while speaking to the reporters.

He also appealed to the armed groups to shun violence and reach out for a political solution.

“The government would try to provide suitable assistance to the families of the martyred officers,” he informed.

“The nation salutes their supreme sacrifice made in the highest traditions of the Force in service of the nation. In this hour of grief, the Assam Rifles stands firm in its solemn commitment to ensure the welfare of the families of the fallen soldiers,” Assam Rifles said in a press release on Friday.

The three Assam Rifles personnel were killed while five others sustained an injury in an ambush near Khongtal area in Chandel district on Wednesday evening.

Later, Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF), Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) claimed responsibility for Thursday’s ambush.