COCOMI wants central forces to act against Kuki militants :::: There are about 60,000 central forces deployed in Manipur

The army in a statement on Thursday said it has “ramped up its search operations across the region to counter the surge of violent activities”. 

In coordination with Manipur police, the army also recovered “substantial” cache of arms in “sensitive areas” on the fringes of Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts, dealing a blow to “the miscreants threatening peace in the state”. 

In fact, the operation is being led by police units only. 

The COCOMI said they will stage a human chain protest on Friday in the state over the handling of the ongoing strife by the government besides demanding the removal of the security adviser and the state DGP for their “failure” to contain the situation.

If central forces can’t protect them (Meiteis) why were they deployed in the state. 

There are about 60,000 central forces in the state, deployed in the wake of the ethnic conflict that erupted between the Kuki-Zos and the Meiteis on May 3, 2023, claiming at least 228 lives and displacing over 60,000 people.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a leading conglomerate of Meitei-based CSOs, on Thursday warned of mass protests to get the central forces deployed in the strife-hit state withdrawn if they do not act against Kuki-Zo militants “responsible” for the September 1 drone attacks in which a woman was killed and several injured in Imphal West district’s Koutruk village.

They have given central forces five days to act against those involved in the attack.

In coordination with Manipur Police, the Army successfully executed a joint operation on Thursday, seizing arms and ammunition from different areas in the state. The operation resulted in the discovery of an arms cache in the sensitive fringe areas of Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts.

A combined team of Imphal East district and 5/9 GR conducted search operations at Bongbal Khullen village, under TBL Dam Police station, Kangpokpi district from 5 am to 8 am on Thursday.

One 60 mm heavy calibre launcher, one  .177 Rifle with magazines, one 12 Bore Double Barrel Rifle, one Pumpi Gun, one 9 mm Pistol with Magazine, one .32 mm Pistol with Magazine, four 36 HE Hand Grenades with Arming Rings, one Anti riot Stun Grenade, one live Pumpi shell, one 60 mm Mortar Shell, four Ignitor Set Detonator, 19 live rds of 5.56 mm INSAS, 24 rounds of 7.62 mm AK, two rounds of 9 mm, one round of .32, three rounds of .177 Bore, four rounds of 12 Bore Cartridge and 52 rounds of 7.62 mm Explosive Cartridge were seized, as per sources.