8 more arms recovered during massive combing operations in Manipur: Police

Manipur police recover 8 arms in Kakching district, bringing the total number of arms recovered in the state to 1,110. 278 people have been detained for curfew violations.

The Manipur police and security forces on Tuesday recovered eight arms from the Kakching district, a day after 10 arms and 239 ammunitions were recovered from the Imphal East district, officials said on Wednesday.

The Manipur police along with security forces have launched a series of operations across the state (File Photo)

“In the last 24 hours, State Police and Central forces conducted search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas of both valley and hill districts,” the Manipur Police said in a press note on Wednesday.

“About 122 nakas/checkpoints are installed in different districts of Manipur both in the hill and valley and police have detained 278 persons in connection with the curfew violations in different districts of the state,” they said.

The Manipur police along with security forces have launched a series of operations across the state in view of the ongoing unrest in the northeastern state.

According to an official police report, a total of 1,110 arms, 13,941 ammunitions and 250 bombs of different kinds have been recovered from across the state till date.

In a statement, the police said that they also arrested one person and recovered one .32 pistol, three live rounds of 9mm ammunition, and one .22 live ammunition from his possession during checking at North AOC checkpoints in Imphal on Tuesday.

On Monday, four persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in the sale of arms and ammunition snatched from police amid the ethnic violence in Manipur.

“Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles,” police said, adding that the movement of essential items is ensured along the National Highway 37.

Stating that the situation is tense but under control in some places with almost no untoward incident during the last 24 hours but normal in most districts, the police also appealed to the people to extend all possible help in bringing normalcy in the state and asked to dial rumour free number - 9233522822 of Central Control Room for giving information.

It further appealed to return and deposit arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or security forces immediately.

At least 3,500 weapons and over 500,000 ammunitions are estimated to have been stolen since the violence was triggered on May 3. The violence has left at least 115 people dead and nearly 40,000 displaced.