Manipur Violence: Aerial surveillance by UAVs and Army Helicopters along Indo-Myanmar border

A total of 54 people died in the violence that broke out in Manipur, said officials. According to defence sources, around 13,000 people were rescued and shifted to safer areas.

Tezpur (Assam):In the backdrop of the ongoing crisis in Manipur and the Union government taking stock of the current situation, the Army has intensified aerial surveillance along the Indo-Myanmar border by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Army Helicopters.

According to defence sources, aerial surveillance has been enhanced along the Indo-Myanmar border for monitoring the border. The ongoing crisis in Manipur may lead to a new security dimension as the Manipur valley-based insurgent groups staying in camps across the Indo-Myanmar border may be detrimental to ongoing massive efforts to restore normalcy in Manipur, defence sources said.

Security forces are addressing the issue proactively and are leaving no stone unturned to thwart the nefarious designs, should it manifest, sources said. While on ground zero, Assam Rifles has enhanced its deployment posture, round-the-clock vigil and border surveillance, their efforts are being given fresh impetus by allocating UAV and Army Helicopters for aerial surveillance in Manipur, defence sources added.

Multiple rounds of aerial surveillance using Cheetah Helicopters have already been conducted by the Army since morning in Manipur. Army and Assam Rifles are working in synergy through the above efforts hope to quell the present unrest in Manipur at the earliest, sources said.

On May 3, clashes had broken out when tribals were protesting against the non-tribal Meiteis community's demand for a Scheduled Tribe status. Officials said that the death toll in the violence has gone up to 54. According to defence sources, around 13,000 people were shifted to safer areas after rescuing them. The Centre had deployed additional forces along with anti-riot vehicles to ensure peace in the area. On Friday, Union home minister Amit Shah had reviewed the situation in Manipur along with chief minister N Biren Singh.