Security forces recovers 10 arms, 62 ammunition, 18 explosives in Manipur

IMPHAL — Security forces on Tuesday recovered 10 arms, 62 rounds of ammunition, 18 explosives and other war-like stores in the violence-hit Manipur.

The search operations were conducted in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Bishnupur, Churachandpur and Thoubal districts and the recoveries were made in Imphal East and Churachandpur districts.

“Eight arms, 62 ammunitions, 18 explosives, one countryman local bomb launcher, 2 wireless sets, 2 tube launching, one smoke grenade and 5 BP jackets were recovered in Imphal East district,” said Manipur police control room in a press note on Tuesday evening.

“Two arms, one 12mm bore live round, 21 heavy calibre machine gun rounds, 1 heavy mortar, 1 countrymade improvised bomb, 1 rocket-propelled grenade were recovered in Old Dampi village, Churachandpur,” it added.

On Monday, one person was abducted by unknown miscreants from Ithai. Following the incident, Bishnupur police conducted a search in various areas of Bishnpur and rescued the abducted person and recovered one SLR rifle, 10 rounds of ammunition, 1 tear gas gun, 7 munition shells and two smartphones allegedly used by the miscreants.

In yet another search operation on October 15, security forces arrested commander-in-chief identified as Lamtinsei Singson (50) alias Seipu alias Ishael of United Tribal Liberation Army/ Kuki National Organisation (Seipu group), a resident of Chiengkwnpang, Churachandpur from Phaitol village. The group is presently under Suspension of Operation camp of Chongkhujou in Henglep of Churachandpur district.

“On checking of the vehicle (White Bolero/MN03P1934) during the search operation near the community hall of Phaitol village), 10 soap cases containing brown sugar weighing around 124 grams in total were found,” the press note said. “The person with the vehicle along with the recovered items was handed over to Jiribam police station for further legal action,” it added.

Joint operations were also conducted at 17 locations including 3 in Imphal West,4 in Bishnupur, 5 each in Kakching and Thoubal district wherein more than 600 houses were searched and over 1400 persons were verified, it said adding no arrests were made.

Similarly, joint operations were also conducted in Vijang and adjoining areas, Koinyu village, Tollen village and adjoining areas in Churachandpur district wherein 150 houses were searched and around 200 persons were verified.

The security forces deployed in the state launched search operations on October 9 to recover the weapons taken away from the armouries of the security forces in the ongoing violence in the state.

In the first three days of the operations, a total of 36 arms, 314 rounds of ammunition, 17 explosives and 111 war-like items were recovered.

Also read: Government bans circulation of riot videos, images that worsen situation in Manipur