Security forces recover 790 looted weapons in Manipur
Imphal (IANS) | Security forces in Manipur have recovered 790 sophisticated and automatic weapons and 10,648 ammunition that were looted from police and various other establishments during the caste riots on May 3. An official gave this information on Monday. Meanwhile, several incidents of violence are being reported from various districts of Manipur in the last 24 hours, though there is no official confirmation yet.
Media reports said that at least three people were burnt alive or beaten to death by a mob in Imphal West district.
The incident took place in Lamsang on Sunday night. The victims were traveling in two vehicles.
A state government official in Imphal said the army and the Assam Rifles, along with Manipur police commandos and other central armed police forces, including the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, recovered the looted weapons. And have continued their search operation to nab the militants.
Defense sources said the recovery of the snatched weapons is important for restoring peace. The campaign for this is going on under a joint strategy which will continue in a gradual manner.
Defense spokesperson said, the search operations are being carried out under the surveillance of drones and quad-copters. A large number of arms (mostly automatic), mortars, ammunition and other munitions have been recovered in the operations so far.
He said that while conducting these operations, it is being ensured that the local people are not disturbed and at the same time the safety of the security personnel is maintained.
Following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s direction, security forces have once again appealed to all those in possession of looted weapons to surrender at the earliest to ensure peace and stability in the state.
The security forces also warned that failure to surrender these weapons would make all such people themselves liable for strict legal action.
Shah, on June 1, the last day of his four-day visit to the violence-hit state, had requested all concerned to hand over their weapons to the security forces and the administration, failing which strict legal action would be taken against those possessing arms and ammunition.
Media reports claimed that after the riots broke out, miscreants and agitated mobs looted thousands of arms and ammunition of various kinds from several police stations and security camps.
Officials said that at present around 37,450 people belonging to different communities are being given shelter in 272 relief camps including community halls in 13 districts.
Officials said curfew has been relaxed for 7-12 hours in most districts including Imphal West and Imphal East districts.
Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong districts are currently not under curfew.
–IANS
