Kolkata (TIP)- At least 35 weapons and warlike stores were recovered during joint combing operations by security forces in ethnic violence-affected Manipur, an official said.
Domination of the arterial national highway 37, connecting capital Imphal with Assam and other parts of the country, was carried out to ensure free movement of essential goods to and from Manipur as part of the operations, he said.
Stating that 35 weapons of different types, ammunition and warlike stores were recovered on the second day of joint combing operations on Thursday, June 8, in the hills and valley sector, the official said that the security forces are adopting confidence building measure and a people centric approach to alleviate the hardships of the people, affected by the month-long ethnic strife in the northeastern state.
On the first day of the joint combing operations on Wednesday, June 7, the security forces recovered 29 weapons, mostly automatic, mortar, hand grenades, small arms, ammunition and warlike stores. He said that magistrates were present during combing operations in non-AFSPA areas.
Adequate measures were being taken during the combing operations, aimed at de-escalation of tensions amongst communities through physical domination besides recovery of weapons and ammunition, to ensure that the local population are not inconvenienced, the official added.
At least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur that broke out a month ago.
Home ministry grants Rs 102 crore for Manipur relief
The Centre has approved a Rs 101.75 crore relief package for displaced citizens in Manipur where the situation remains peaceful with no fresh incidents of violence in the past 48 hours, state security adviser Kuldiep Singh said. Since May 3, the northeastern state has been roiled by ethnic clashes largely between the Meitei and Kuki communities. At least 102 people have died, 300 injured and nearly 40,000 displaced, with 2,000 houses and shops burnt. Singh, a former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) chief, said that last week, Union home minister Amit Shah directed the Manipur government to send a request to the Union home ministry seeking relief for the displaced citizens. During his four-day visit to the state, Shah met different Kuki and Meitei groups, civil society organisations, and groups of citizens.