Manipur security advisor Kuldiep Singh informed on Friday that 3,000 looted arms have been recovered so far besides 258 individuals including militants killed since the violence broke out on May 3, 2023.
Addressing the media after a security review meeting at the Secretariat (South Block) in Imphal on Friday, Kuldiep said that the state will soon achieve full security coverage following the deployment of 90 additional Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies.
This will bring the total to 288 CAPF companies stationed in the state, he added.
Singh stated that 198 CAPF companies are currently operational, and the newly arrived forces will be deployed in the coming days.
The meeting was attended by chiefs of the Army, Assam Rifles (AR), Manipur Police, Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Singh emphasized that these deployments aim to protect lives and ensure security in fringe and vulnerable valley areas adjoining the hill districts across Manipur.
Regarding the Jiribam incident, Singh confirmed that the last rites of nine bodies were conducted peacefully on Friday at Ningshingkhul in Jiribam district under tight security. Among the deceased were six individuals, allegedly abducted by armed militants while retreating after an attack on Borobekera Police Station and a nearby CRPF post on November 11 killing 10 armed militants. Two more bodies from the same relief camp at Borobekera were recovered, including one charred and another partially burned.
The ninth casualty was reportedly killed by a stray bullet fired by police while managing a mob.
“No individuals have been arrested regarding the 6 individuals killing case however, search operation has been continuing”, said Kuldiep.
Singh further disclosed that three cases related to the Jiribam incident have been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). These include the killing of a woman on November 7, the encounter of 10 armed militants on November 11, and the killing of six individuals by armed militants.
The combined security forces have recovered approximately 3,000 looted arms and till date a total of 258 individuals including militants have been killed since May 3 last year, he added.
