Manipur: Displaced people returning to their villages stopped; police calls it 'precautionary measure'

NEW DELHI: Security forces on Wednesday stopped nearly 100 internally displaced people (IDP) in Manipur from returning to their villages, police said.

"The IDPs were staying in a relief camp near Sajiwa in Imphal East district. They moved towards Doilaithabi in the same district, to return to their native villages," a senior officer told news agency PTI.

"This was done as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident," the officer added, without providing further details.

Thousands of people have been displaced in Manipur due to the ethnic conflict between the majority Meitei and tribal Kuki communities, since May 2023.

Earlier, in a major crackdown on Tuesday, security forces recovered 86 weapons and 974 rounds of ammunition in the five valley districts of the Northeastern state.

Among the weapons recovered were five AK rifles, three INSAS rifles, 16 SLRs, five .303 rifles, 19 pistols, two carbines, nine other types of rifles, and 16 single-barrel guns.

The coordinated operations were conducted by joint teams, comprising the Manipur Police, CAPFs, Army and Assam Rifles.