Imphal: At least 25 miscreants with arms, ammunition and grenades have been gunned down in ethnic-conflict-torn Manipur by the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, officials said on Monday. A spokesman for the defense forces said several persons along with weapons were detained following fresh incidents of firing and clashes in and around Imphal Valley on Sunday.
“During the operation at Sanasabi, Gwaltabi and Shabunkhol Khunao in YKPI Bowl in the hilly area of Imphal East district, the Army apprehended 22 miscreants with arms and other war-like stores.” Five 12-bore double barrel rifles, three single barrel rifles, one country made weapon with double bore and one muzzle loaded weapon were recovered,” he said in a statement.
The Army mobilized several columns to set up several Mobile Vehicle Check Posts (MVCPs) and launched a search operation following specific intelligence inputs about armed miscreants setting ablaze houses.
“During the operation in the area, miscreants trying to torch houses opened fire with automatic weapons on the army units,” the spokesman said. He said a mobile check post in Imphal city stopped a car with three passengers on Sunday night. “On being stopped, the miscreants got down from the car and tried to flee. However, the three miscreants were caught by the alert jawans,” he said.
An INSAS rifle with a magazine, 60 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, a Chinese hand grenade and a detonator were also recovered, he said. All 25 miscreants were apprehended and handed over to Manipur Police along with arms and ammunition. “The prompt action of the Army averted loss of precious lives and several incidents of arson,” the statement said.
The Defense PRO also said that violent clashes broke out in Sugnu and Serau villages of Kakching district on Sunday, in which the army had to intervene to rescue the affected people.
“Villagers from both the communities were trapped in the pocket guarded by the security forces. In a massive evacuation operation organized by the Army and the Assam Rifles in coordination with the police, state administration and civil society organisations, around 2000 Meitei villagers were evacuated from Serau to Pangaltabi for relief. was evacuated from the camp,” he said.
The official said that while aerial surveillance cover was provided by UAVs, Mine Protected Vehicles and Area Domination Patrol were kept on the ground to ensure safe and incident-free evacuation. “Similarly, around 328 Kuki villagers were safely evacuated from Sugnu to Sajik Tampak,” he added.