Security forces seize grenades, rifles, long-range mortars in Manipur
PTC News Desk: Indian Army and Manipur Police on Wednesday recovered a huge amount of arms and ammunition from the state's Imphal East district.
The Army and Manipur Police launched a joint search operation after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of arms and ammunition in the general area of the Sabungkhok Khunao-Chanung ridge near Sabungkhok village.
The security forces recovered four Improvised Long Range Mortar, known as Pompi, a 9 mm pistol, one 7.65 mm pistol, two 303 bore rifles and three hand grenades.
Tensions between the Kuki-Zo tribes and Meiteis in Manipur have remained high for 11 months, following clashes over land, resources, political representation, and affirmative action policies.
The violence has killed over 210 people, and thousands have been internally displaced.
Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that any form of peace talks between communities should not jeopardise the state's territorial integrity and must guarantee the protection of the indigenous population.
Formal peace talks between top civil bodies in the Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribes to find an end to violence are yet to begin.
- With inputs from agencies
