Tezpur (Assam): Security forces recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Manipur, defence spokesperson Lt Colonel Mahendra Rawat said. Army and Assam Rifles, along with police and CAPFs, commenced Area Domination Operations in the hills and valley area across Manipur on Saturday.
He said as part of a joint strategy for the recovery of snatched weapons, these operations are significant for restoring peace and will continue in a calibrated manner. Conducted under the surveillance cover of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Quadcopters, the operations have so far resulted in the recovery of 40 weapons (mostly automatic), mortars, ammunition and war-like stores. During the conduct of these operations, adequate measures were undertaken to ensure that the locals are not harassed and that personal safety and security are maintained.
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Following the directions during the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Security Forces have once again appealed to all those in possession of snatched weapons to surrender the same at the earliest for ensuring peace and stability in Manipur. Security Forces also warned that failure to surrender these weapons will make all such people liable for strict legal action.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah who is on a three-day visit to violence-hit Manipur, on June 6 said the government's top priority is peace and prosperity in the state and he has instructed security officials to strictly deal with any activities that disturb peace. Shah reached the northeastern state on June 5 evening.
He began a series of meetings right away to assess the situation and find a solution to the ethnic violence that has marred the state for around a month now. The violence first broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
