Manipur Conflict; Chief Minister Biren Singh says 30 terrorists were killed

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Biren Singh announced that 30 terrorists have been killed in the Manipur conflict. The Chief Minister said that a special operation was taken against those who committed violence with weapons and some were arrested.

Army chief Manoj Pandey had reached Manipur yesterday to assess the situation in the wake of continued riots in the state. Eastern Command officials briefed the army chief about the steps taken to bring the situation under control. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Manipur tomorrow. Amit Shah has scheduled a three-day visit.

The Indian Army and Assam Rifles have beefed up security across Manipur as fresh incidents of violence have been reported in the state. Assam Rifles opened a special center on the Manipur border. More troops have been deployed in 38 areas where there is more conflict. In Imphal East and Charchandpur, security forces have intervened to stop the exchange of fire between the two sides. Some armed men escaped into the forest after firing, the army said. No one was injured in the shooting.

The Manipur High Court asking the government to implement a 10-year-old decision to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the non-tribal Meitei community, is what led to the violence. Violence started in Manipur on May 4.