Kohima: If sources are to be believed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s appeal to all armed groups to surrender their stolen arms has brought the desired result as 140 arms have been surrendered so far.

In hindsight, Shah also issued a warning to all the insurgent groups that the security forces will not wait for an indefinite period of time and will kick start their combing operation with a sole aim of neutralising them.

Sources said that this approach by Shah has worked wonders for the security establishment in trouble-torn Manipur. The surrendered weapons included self-loading rifles, carbine, AK and INSAS rifles, light machine guns, pistols, M16 rifles, smoke gun/tear gas, sten gun and grenade launcher.

Ethnic clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 after a “Tribal Solidarity March” was organised in the state’s hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

After a relative lull for over a fortnight, the state witnessed a spurt in clashes and gunfights between militants and security forces on Sunday.

More than 80 people have been killed in the violence, according to officials.

Sources said that as on Friday morning, 37,450 people are staying in 272 relief camps, including community halls.

While Imphal West district has 10 camps with 807 people, Imphal East has 39 camps with 7,183 people, Thoubal 12 camps with 1,408 persons, Bishnupur 58 camps with 8,031 persons and Churachandpur has 63 camps with 8,929 persons.

Tengnoupal district has nine camps with 884 persons, Kakching 14 camps with 992 persons, Jiribam three camps with 115 persons, Kangpokpi 54 camps with 8,000 persons, Ukhrul one camp with 35 persons, Senapati two camps with 552 persons, Kamjong five camps with 364 persons and Chandel has two camps with 150 persons.