Manipur CM says major ops launched to find those involved in recent killings

“Security forces comprising central forces and state police have been pressed into action. So far, 42 villages have been covered in hill areas adjoining the valley, and 39 areas in the valley,” he said.

Singh once again appealed to the people not to be driven by emotion and to let the government handle the situation. “We have stated clearly that the ongoing fight is between the state and external forces. This is not a fight between communities,” he said.

Nine people were killed in the violence in Aigejang village on Tuesday night, and three people were killed in Khogen village last Friday.

On Thursday, miscreants set three houses on fire in Imphal East district’s New Checkon area, which is home to a mixture of communities. There have been several arson cases in the area.

Thursday’s arson incidents occurred amid the presence of a heavy deployment of security forces.

“We did not see anyone going near the house. Some miscreants might have snuck into the house and carried out the arson,” said a security forces personnel who was on duty near one of the burnt houses.

After the arson incidents, a large number of people came out onto the streets, defying the curfew. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) used teargas to disperse the crowd, resulting in a confrontation between the two sides. At least one woman was injured in the scuffle.

Local residents said they didn’t know how the fires could have started amid the heavy security deployment.

Manipur has witnessed violent clashes since May 3, leaving a total of more than 100 people dead.