41 of the 73 people who died were directly involved in violence: Kuldiep
Five missing in the course of ethnic clash
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2023:
Security Advisor to the State Government Kuldiep Singh has said that altogether five persons have gone missing since the ethnic conflict erupted in Manipur on May 3 .
Addressing the media at the Durbar Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat today, Kuldiep Singh explained that two of the missing persons are from Khumbong, Imphal West while the remaining three are residents of Torbung in Bishnupur district.
Search operation is underway to trace all the missing persons, he added.
Saying that Central security forces and State police have been deployed in foothills and adjoining areas of hill and valley districts, Kuldiep Singh continued that 64 companies of CAPF are continuing their flag march and area domination exercise.
He further stated that two additional companies of BSF have been sent to Torbung and Govindpur in
Bishnupur after unknown miscreants set two houses on fire recently.
Informing that some armed miscreants suspected to be Kuki militants attempted to bum the Teak Resort and another picnic spot at Hathikhuwa in Kanglatongbi yesterday noon at around 12.30 after ransacking the sites, the Security Advisor said that a platoon of CRPF has been deployed to protect the site .
Tight security measures have been taken up at the area, he added.
He further informed that a group of unknown miscreants also torched a truck at T Leijang in Kangpokpi yesterday at around 2 pm.
Three persons from Khon Khu village near Leimakhong were chased by unknown miscreants at Makhan village yesterday at around 2 pm, Kuldiep Singh said and added that one of the three persons was rescued by a team of Sekmai police and locals of Awang Sekmai Khunou while the remaining two took shelter at Makhan village.
Saying that the police so far have registered 738 FIRs pertaining to the series of violence in Manipur and arrested 30 persons for their alleged involvement, the Security Advisor continued that the State has confirmed that 41 of the 73 people who died amid the ethnic conflict were directly associated with the violence.
1813 cases of arson have also been reported while 243 people sustained injuries in the cycle of violence, the Security Advisor said.
He farther said that 1070 arms were looted during the course of the ethnic conflict of which 456 have been recovered, Kuldiep Singh said.
Saying that a consignment of 1674 LPG cylinders have been sent from the Bottling Plant of IOC at Sekmai to Chura'chandpur today under the protection of Assam Rifles, BSF and CRPF, Kuldiep Singh continued that 74 good laden trucks coming from Jiribam side, on the other hand, are at Barak.
Another 24 trucks have started for Imphal from Noney, he added.
He went on to state that altogether 169 goods carrying trucks are stranded at Khongnem in Senapati district.
Stating that 46,296 of the 46,341 displaced people have vacated the relief camps, Kuldiep maintained that 3141 people from other States have also returned to their native places.
Appealing to one and all to not spread rumour or get carried away by hearsay, Kuldiep said that a Helpline number 9485280461 has also been opened as Rumour Free Manipur.