Manipur violence: Security forces start combing operations to recover looted weapons

Manipur Security Advisor, Kuldiep Singh, asserted that the security forces have initiated the combing operations from October 9 and will go on till all the looted weapons are been recovered.

Kuldiep Singh, Advisor (Security) to Manipur Government says, "CM had given an appeal & request to everyone approximately 15 days back to surrender the looted weapons...From today onwards, we have started combing operations and these will go on till all the looted weapons have been recovered...Such a huge number of sophisticated weapons remaining with the general public is not a good idea because these will land into the hands of the miscreants..."

Earlier on September 22, the state government of Manipur informed that all illegal weapons held by any person or group across the state should be surrendered forthwith within a period of 15 (fifteen) days from today.

Also Read: Manipur violence: CM Biren Singh gives ultimatum to groups or individuals to surrender illegal weapons within 15 days

The State Government is willing to take a considerate view of the persons submitting such illegal weapons within these 15. 

At the end of the 15 (fifteen) security forces, both the Centre and the State will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the State to recover such weapons, persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per the law. 

It is to be mentioned here that during the last 24 hours, the situation in the State was tense but under control with a congregation of protestors, as per a release from the police on October 9.

Search operations were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal East, Churachandpur, Imphal West, Kakching and Thoubal districts. 

During the operations, 11 (eleven) arms, 20 (twenty) ammunitions, 02 (two) kg gun powder, 01 (one) 51 mm Mortar, 01 (one) 36 HE Hand Grenade, 10 (ten) improvised mortars (Pumpi) and 02 (two) radio sets were recovered from Imphal East, Churachandpur and Thoubal districts.

Meanwhile, from the Sinam village, Imphal East District, a joint operation was carried out at Sinam village, Imphal East district from early this morning today and recovered an AK assault rifle along with ammunition as well as Khakee shirt and pants.

On the otherhand, Special Operation Group (SOG) Thoubal along with COB Thoubal 33 AR, 195 Bn. BSF C - Coy Camp Yairipok led by Add SP (Ops)/TBL assisted by OC/CDO, TBL and one team of YPK PS under the supervision of SP/TBL launched a massive search operation at the aforesaid area at around 1.00 pm. 

On searching the area properly, the teams found the under-noted articles and seized (1) 1 no. of SLR Bearing Regn. No. ED - 6370 along with 8 (eight) magazines (2) 1 (one) no. of 36 HE Hand Grenade without detonator at 2.30 pm. The massive search operation was conducted from 12:30 pm and continued till 2:40 pm.