New Delhi: Arms, ammunition, and various military supplies were seized in the Kakching and Imphal West districts of Manipur, as reported by the police on Thursday.
Additionally, law enforcement apprehended a member of the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) in the Imphal West district.
The police discovered an array of weapons, including two SMG carbines without magazines, one .303 rifle with a magazine, a single-barrel gun, two double-barrel guns, a modified sniper rifle, a modified 9 mm pistol with a magazine, three mortar shells, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and two grenades, along with ammunition, detonators, and other materials in the Tokpaching Moirangkhom Hill Range of Kakching district.
Another stash of arms and military supplies was found in the Yaralpat area, located across from a school in the Imphal East district, according to police reports.
The items retrieved from this location included one .303 rifle, 16 live rounds of .303 ammunition, two 40 mm grenade launchers, additional ammunition, one .303 rifle magazine, a small carbine, a handmade magazine for the small carbine, one 9 mm pistol, seven detonators, two hand grenades, and various other items.
The confiscated materials have been transferred to the Porompat Police Station for further legal proceedings.
These recoveries from the two districts occurred on Wednesday.
Despite the conclusion of a two-week period on March 6, during which individuals were encouraged to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally possessed weapons, arms and ammunition continue to be frequently discovered in the state.
Regarding the 45-year-old militant who was arrested, police stated he was taken into custody from Lamsang Bazaar in Imphal West district on Wednesday.
He is alleged to have been involved in extorting money from government officials in and around the state capital, Imphal.
Since the outbreak of ethnic violence between the Meitei community, based in the Imphal valley, and the Kuki community from the neighboring hills in May 2023, over 260 lives have been lost.
The conflicts erupted following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ held in the hill districts to oppose a ruling by the Manipur High Court regarding the Meitei community’s request for Scheduled Tribe status.
On February 13, President’s rule was enacted in Manipur after the resignation of the then chief minister, N Biren Singh, on February 9. The state assembly, which is scheduled to serve until 2027, has been placed in a state of suspended animation.
