Manipur toll 175, few stolen weapons recovered: Police

Ethic clashes in Manipur have claimed 175 lives over four months and at least 96 bodies are still lying unclaimed, the Manipur Police said on Thursday, giving data of the number of injuries and arson cases, and adding that only around a quarter of the arms stolen by mobs during the violence has been recovered

In a hurriedly called press conference in Imphal, Inspector General of Police (AP/Operations) IK Muivah accompanied by IGPs Jayantakumar (Administration), Nishit Kumar Ujjawal (Intelligence) besides IGP (Zone II) K Kabib read out statistics that revised the death toll upwards and painted a grim picture of the violence that has engulfed the northeastern state since May 3.

IPG Muivah said that 175 people have died, 1,118 sustained injuries and 32 are missing. At least 5,172 cases of arson — including 4,786 houses and 386 religious places — were reported in these four months, he said.

“175 people have died, 1,118 sustained injuries and 33 are missing. At least 5,172 cases of arson -- including 4,786 houses and 386 religious places (254 churches and 132 temples) — were reported in these four months,” said Muivah.