Amit Shah arrives in Manipur; 22 miscreants apprehended

IMPHAL— Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Manipur around 9 pm on Monday amid fresh cases of violent incidents being reported in the state.

It was his first visit to the state since the outbreak of violence on May 3 which has claimed more 70 precious lives.

Soon after his arrival at the Imphal airport in a special aircraft, Shah headed to Chief Minister’s secretariat to attend a crucial cabinet meeting. He is expected to meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey separately, officials said.

The Union Minister, who is on a four-day visit the violence-hit state from May 29 to June 1, is expected to meet the stakeholders, both from the hills and the valley to resolve the on-going crisis.

There were apprehensions if Shah would visit Manipur following reports of encounters between the security forces and armed Kuki groups at various locations on Sunday. In view of the situation, curfew, which was relaxed for few hours, was re-imposed in five districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching — without any relaxation on Monday.

Meanwhile, PRO (Defence) Kohima and Imphal updated on Monday that the Army had apprehended 22 miscreants with weapons and warlike stores in Manipur.

“Five 12 bore double barrel rifles, three single barrel rifles, one country made weapon with double bore and one muzzle loaded weapon were recovered. Swift action by Army averted loss of precious lives and multiple incidents of arson,” read the press release.

It informed that the 22 miscreants were handed over to Manipur Police along with the seized weapons,

‘Army moblised its columns to establish multiple Mobile Vehicle Check Posts (MVCP) and undertake search operations  on receiving specific information about presence of armed miscreants venturing out for burning houses in Sanasabi, Gwaltabi and Shabunkhol Khunao in YKPI bowl in the hilly region of Imphal East District of Manipur on Sunday. While operating in the area, the Army columns were fired upon from automatic weapon by miscreants who were trying to burn the houses,’ said the update.