Imphal: Massive combing operations have started in some parts of Manipur to control the crisis caused by the conflict between two ethnic groups since May 3.
Kuldiep Singh, state Security Advisor said combing operations began on Monday to recover arms and ammunition from the people. Addressing the media at the CM Secretariat, he informed that Chief Minister N Biren Singh on September 22 had asked all to surrender arms and ammunition and 15 days time was given. The situation has improved but miscreants circulate videos, photographs from time to time, he said.
After a photograph of the killing of two school children went viral, there was a protest and many students were injured. The DGP has ordered an inquiry, he said.
He assured that action would be taken against security personnel involved in causing injuries to the students. After arrests of some persons involved in the killing of the two children, the situation has calmed down in the state, he added.
“If arms land in the hands of miscreants they will misuse them. Hence combing operations were launched at Kakching, Imphal East, Imphal West, Churachandpur and Thoubal districts in which eleven arms, 2 kg gun power, radio sets, uniforms, grenades were recovered.
Manipur Police is helping the NIA, and CBI to arrest people involved in various crimes, he said three persons were arrested at Churachandpur and arms AND money were recovered on Sep 7. Another person from Churachandpur identified as Loukhathang was arrested with Rs 20 lakh near Manipur Myanmar border, he said. The person was suspected to be crossing the international border to procure arms and contraband items.
He also appealed to the people to use the national highways as security measures were being taken to ensure safety.
