An official revealed that security personnel discovered at least 35 firearms and warlike goods during combined combing operations in ethnically Manipur violence.
Dominance of the artery national highway 37, which connects the capital Imphal with Assam and other areas of the country, was carried out as part of the operations to enable free movement of important goods to and from Manipur, he said.
The official stated that 35 weapons of various types, ammunition, and warlike stores were recovered on the second day of joint combing operations in the hills and valley sector on Thursday, and that the security forces are implementing confidence-building measures and a people-centric approach to alleviate the hardships of the people affected by the month-long ethnic strife in the northeastern state.
The security forces recovered 29 weapons, mostly automatic, mortars, hand grenades, small arms, ammo, and warlike items on the first day of the joint combing operations on Wednesday.
He stated that during combing operations in non-AFSPA regions, Judges were present. To ensure that the local populace is not inconvenienced, adequate steps were implemented throughout the combing operations, which were aimed at de-escalating tensions among communities through physical dominance as well as the seizure of guns and ammunition.
At least 100 people were killed and 310 more were injured in the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur a month ago. There are approximately 37,450 individuals housed in 272 relief camps. Clashes erupted on May 3 during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill areas to protest the Meitei community’s desire for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation.
