Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said nearly 40 armed militants involved in torching houses and firing at civilians have been killed by security forces since they began an operation to bring peace to the north eastern state beset by ethnic rioting.

Singh`s comments came in the backdrop of fresh clashes breaking out between armed groups and security forces at over half a dozen places across Manipur on Sunday. The Chief Minister who was interacting with the media persons at the state secretariat, claimed the latest round of "conflict is not between communities but between Kuki militants and security forces."