Imphal, June 3 (). Security forces in Manipur have recovered 40 sophisticated automatic weapons from police and various security forces that were looted during caste riots. An official gave this information on Saturday.
Defense sources said the Army and Assam Rifles, along with the Manipur Police and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), launched area domination operations in the hills and valley region across Manipur on Saturday.
A defense spokesperson said, a joint strategy was worked out for the recovery of the snatched weapons. Such operations will continue to restore peace. The operation, carried out under the surveillance cover of drones and quad-copters, has so far led to the recovery of 40 arms (mostly automatic), mortars, ammunition and other munitions.
After the appeal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, 144 state-of-the-art weapons looted in various districts have been surrendered till Friday evening.
Meanwhile, the Defense Spokesperson said that during the conduct of these operations, adequate measures were taken to ensure that the local population is not disturbed and personal safety and security is maintained.
Following Shah’s directive, the security forces have once again appealed to all people to surrender at the earliest to ensure peace and stability in Manipur.
The security forces also warned that failure to surrender these weapons would make all such people liable for strict legal action.
Shah on Thursday, the last day of his four-day visit to violence-hit Manipur, urged all concerned to hand over their weapons to the security forces and administration, failing which strict legal action would be taken against those in possession of arms and ammunition.
Media reports claimed that thousands of different types of arms and large quantities of ammunition were looted by miscreants and agitated mobs from several police stations and security camps during the ethnic violence since 9 May.
Barring one incident in Imphal West district, no major violent incident was reported in the last 24 hours, police said.
At least 15 people were injured when suspected armed Kuki militants attacked two villages in Manipur’s Imphal West district. The injured were taken to the hospital.
Officials said that around 37,450 people belonging to different communities are being given shelter in 272 relief camps including community halls in 13 districts.
Troops of the Army, Assam Rifles, various CAPFs, State Police and Manipur Rifles continued their vigil and operations in all the 11 trouble-torn districts.
Officials said curfew was relaxed for 7-12 hours in most districts including Imphal West and Imphal East districts.
Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong districts are not under curfew at present.
SGK
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