Manipur: Major Threat Averted As Army Recovers Explosives, Detonators In Imphal Valley

Manipur: Three kilograms of TNT, 15 electric detonators, four circuits and remote firing devices were recovered in Bungbal Khullen village by a patrolling team of the Indian Army.

A patrolling team of the Indian Army averted a major threat in Manipur after it recovered explosives and a "Remote Initiation Mechanism" for improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Three kilograms of TNT, 15 electric detonators, four circuits and remote firing devices were recovered in Bungbal Khullen village on Wednesday.

"Indian Army Patrol operating along foothills of Imphal East district recovered explosives and Remote Initiation Mechanism for IEDs in Village Bungbal Khullen on Wednesday. Three kilograms of TNT, 15 electric detonators, four circuits and remote firing devices have also been found," the Spear Corps of the Army said.

Meanwhile, the movement of trucks carrying essential commodities such as rice, sugar and pulses to Imphal Valley has resumed.

Ever since violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, the supply route to the Imphal Valley, via National Highway 2, was completely cut off due to blockades at places like Kangpokpi. The supply of all kinds of essential commodities to the Imphal Valley was totally stopped for about two weeks due to fear amongst the transporters in the state.

All the shops in Imphal town were running dry as the stock of essential supplies was  totally stopped. Moreover, petrol and diesel stocks were also running out and one had to queue up for hours at depots.

The Army and Assam Rifles then stepped in to assure protection to vehicles carrying essential goods to Imphal.

On May 15, a convoy of 28 vehicles, including trucks, fuel tankers, and earthmovers moved under the escort of CRPF and Manipur Police from Noney to Imphal.

Prophylactic domination of the entire area was provided by the Assam Rifles to ensure safe passage of the convoy, which reached Imphal safely by noon. Monitoring was also done through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Around 100 vehicles were moved on May 16 and 17. "Security forces are committed to restore normalcy and the commencement of movement of the vehicles on NH 37 is another step towards normalcy in Manipur," a defence spokesperson said.

Clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence claimed over 70 lives and some 10,000 army and para-military personnel had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state.