Army, Assam Rifles Join Ops To Retrieve Arms In Manipur

Security forces including Indian Army and Assam Rifles on Wednesday launched joint combing operations in Manipur to recover arms looted by mobs from police stations and government armories of the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state.

- Utpal Parashar and Prawesh Lama

"Locals in possession of such weapons are urged to surrender them to the security forces for the sake of peace and harmony," the Spear Corps division of army said in a brief statement.

At least 102 people have been killed, over 300 injured and nearly 40,000 displaced in Manipur since May 3, when ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state between the numerically dominant Meitei community which forms 53% of the state population - and tribal communities, especially Kukis, who live primarily in the hill districts. Violent clashes broke out after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

According to the army, combing operations were launched both in the Imphal Valley, which is Meitei dominated, and in the hill districts, some of which have a Kuki majority population.