Security forces dismantle 167 bunkers in Manipur

Security forces have destroyed as many as 167 bunkers used by miscreants in Manipur since governor Ajay Bhalla in late February called for a peaceful solution to the ethnic violence in the state.

Security forces dismantled bunkers in Churachandpur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Senapati, Kangpokpi and Tamenglong after Union home minister Amit Shah set a March 8 deadline to open roads that were partially or totally closed since deadly ethnic clashes started nearly two years ago.

According to CRPF, as many as 1,240 looted arms have been recovered following governor Bhalla's call to surrender arms and ammunition. Also, 12,677 pieces of ammunition, 405 grenades, 316 crude bombs and 19 improvised explosive devices have also been surrendered before the authorities, according to official data.


"There are several Kaccha roads linking Churachandpur to neighbouring Mizoram. There are roads between Churachandpur and Myanmar also and Myanmar shares a border with Churachandpur," said an official.

During the ethnic violence, Kuki leaders and people often travelled to Mizoram as they could not come to Imphal owing to hostilities between the Kukis and Meitis.