Imphal (Manipur), Sep. 12 : The security agencies in Manipur are happy to notice the increasing public support and cooperation, which is expected to bring an end to militancy in the State. Public support has shown good results during the last few weeks.

The joint action of the Indian Army and Manipur police recently destroyed two camps of the banned militant outfit, PREPAK near Loktak Lake in Manipur’s Thoubal district. The support of local residents helped in the task.

Five militants were killed and a large amount of arms was seized in the operation, which was carried out in the wake of an assassination bid on the state chief minister Ibobi Singh.

According to the police, the five militants killed belonged to PREPAK, the group which was allegedly involved in planting bomb at the Chief Minister''s residence.

“The exchange of fire was witnessed from dusk to dawn. The united force destroyed two camps of the militant outfit. A large amount of arms and ammunition comprising of 4 AK-56, 2 inch mortar launcher, 13 wireless set, a number of grenades, cartilages and many kilograms of RDX were also seized,” police sources informed.

The officials appreciated the way the local residents were showing cooperation in providing useful information.

Major General T. S. Handa, GOC, 57 Mountain Division, said: “Timely intelligence was given by the locals of the place which is a very healthy and positive sign. It indicates that locals are getting fed up of the undergrounds'' actions.”

“People are fed up of the activities of militants and are helping the security forces, the army and the police to clear the undergrounds. It is a positive development and different from what happened in 2006," Handa added.

It’s been over a month since the combined forces intensified their operations and have been tracking the militants’ movements to locate their hideouts. Cooperation of local people in providing intelligence inputs and support has helped in tracking these militants.

“The police and the army started the operation around 5:30 in the evening till about 7 o’clock next morning. Later, some of the army personnel stayed back in the village. We heard that four militants were killed," said Inaocha Thokchom, a local resident at Thoubal.

In Tripura, militancy was curbed with the active support of people. The same can happen in Manipur, if people continue to support the effort of the security forces. (ANI)