Death count rises to 68, injured to 236
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 11 2023: Death toll in the ethnic clash has climbed to 68 while the number of injured stdnds at 236, said Education Minister Thounaoj am Basanta Kumar, today.

Addressing media persons at DIPR office at Keishampat, Basanta Kumar continued that 1794 cases of arson which took place amid the conflict have also been reported.

Saying that police have registered 321 cases pertaining to the series of violence which began on May 3, the Minister informed that 422 arms have been recovered from among the looted weapons.

30 persons who took part in the violence have also been arrested, he added.

Continuing that Army,, paramilitary force, CAPF and State police have been taking up confidence build-ing measures, Basanta Kumar maintained that flag march, surveillance and area domination are.

also underway in vulnerable areas using drone, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) etc.

Counting of weapons is, ongoing at the designated camps of SoO signatory militant groups by the Assam Rifles and State police, he added.

He said that the Assam Rifles has nabbed one person identified'as Khupngam Koireng of Utonglok Koireng Village along with one 9mm and .32 pistols from Sagolmang yesterday.

Further stating that-the majority of the people at relief camps have been evacuated to more secure sites while many others have been sent to their homes, the Minister said that altogether 47,727 people used to take shelter at different relief camps.

He further; stated that about 2639 students from other States have also been sent to their homes.

Continuing that one commando of Manipur police was killed in an encounter with a suspected militant group under Suspension of Operation (SoO) at Tronglaobi Makha Leikai Chingkhong today while four other personnel sustained injuries, he added that the injured have been admits ted to a hospital at Moiraing and Raj Medicity.

There is also a report of two cadres of the suspected militant group sustaining in-juries in the gunfight but it is yet to be confirmed, he added.

Further stating that 180' loaded trucks including 28 oil tankers coming from Dimapur side towards Imphal were blocked at Hengbung in Kangpokpi and have retreated upto Senapati at around 9.30 am today for security reason, Basanta Kumar maintained that the State Government will send additional security forces to escort the stranded trucks.

He appealed to media houses to publish only verified news.

The Minister assured that the Government will compensate for the loss of lives and properties accordingly.

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