Security Forces Seize Arms, Explosives During Raids As Manipur Remains Tense Over Ethnic Clashes

Manipur News: State police seize arms, explosives from vulnerable areas as situation remains grim in the northeastern state.

Guwahati: The situation in Manipur remained tense on Monday with several sporadic incidents of firing, arson and congregation of protestors reported from different parts of the violence-hit state over the past 24 hours. Protestors in large numbers took to the streets at many places demanding return of peace to the strife-torn state, a Manipur police press note stated.

The security forces including the Manipur police, Indian Army, Assam Rifles and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) carried out search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Churachandpur, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching districts. During the search operations, the security forces recovered one weapon and four explosives from Imphal East and Thoubal districts, the press note stated.  

The security forces also ensured the movement of a total of 141 vehicles carrying essential items to the state along National Highway 37. Strict security measures have been taken up in all the vulnerable areas and a security convoy has been provided in the sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of public and government vehicles, the press note said.  

The Manipur police along with other security forces have erected as many as 131 “nakas” and checkpoints at various places across the state, both in the hill and the valley districts. The security forces are conducting round the clock checking of vehicles in these “nakas” and checkpoints, it said. 

Meanwhile, the Manipur police have detained a total of 1,703 persons in connection with violation of laws in different districts of the strife-torn state.

The Manipur police also appealed to the general public of the state not to believe in rumours and be aware of false videos and immediately confirm the circulation of unfounded videos with the rumour free number 9233522822 of the central control room of the state police.

The police further appealed to the public to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives from the police station armories to the police or the nearest security forces immediately.

Large-scale violence across the state has claimed the lives of at least 175 people in the four-month-long ethnic clashes. On the other hand, several thousand others have been displaced and have been forced to take refuge in relief camps set up in different districts of the state.  

According to data from the Manipur Social Welfare Department, there are around 12,694 displaced children living in relief camps across the state, and of them, 100 are severely traumatized, needing professional counseling.

Clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities broke out on May 3 this year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.