A combined team of Indian Army and Manipur police on Friday seized a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosive devices during search operations at various areas in Bishnupur and Imphal East district.
A release issued by PRO & Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence, Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh said that acting on a tip-off, a combined team of Army and Bishnupur police launched an operation at Phosenphai and Sangthong area in Bishnupur District.
During the operation, the team recovered one Carbine Machine Gun, one .303 Rifle, one Pompi (country-made mortar), five Grenades, one Rifle Grenade, two Mortar Bombs, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), ammunition and other war-like stores, it said. The cache included sophisticated weaponry and explosives, showcasing the extent of the threat neutralized by the operation, it mentioned.
Simultaneously, in another joint operation conducted in the fringe areas of Imphal East district, the team utilizing the expertise of an Explosive Detection Dog of Army, uncovered a hidden arms cache in the area, it said. Various arms including one 9mm Carbine Machine Gun, one 2-inch Mortar, one Improvised Heavy Calibre 60mm Mortar, one Pompi Gun, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered by the team, it mentioned. It added that security forces in the state continue to work in close coordination to prevent any untoward incident ensuring stability and security of the region.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Police Control Room in a statement informed that security forces recovered various arms and ammunition during search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.
The arms recovered which include one Pompi Mortar (Local made), one SMG carbine with magazine, one .303 Rifle with magazine, one IED Weighing about 1.5 kgs, two Mortar ILLU shells with covers, five 36 HE Grenade, six Detonators, one Telescopic Sight, one Tube Launching Grenade and 12 Live Ammunition from Terakhongshangbi Santhong Gap in Bishnupur District, it stated.
The statement also mentioned that Manipur Police arrested three cadres of proscribed KCP (People War Group) from Pangantabi area in Kakching District. The arrestees have been identified as 23-year-old Thokchom Sornu, alias Amujao Singh, 38-year-old Laishram Birdina Meitei, alias Tabhidi and 28-year-old Khundrakpam Rojit Singh, alias Washington, it stated.
The trio were reportedly involved in extortion activities from the general public, it mentioned. Police also recovered three mobile phones, one four-wheeler vehicle and other incriminating items from their possessions, it added.
It further said that the situation in the state was under control. Movement of 125 and 232 vehicles along NH-37 and NH-02 with essential items have been ensured and strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles, it maintained.
It stated that a total of 125 Nakas/Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and Police detained 70 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the state.
It also appealed to the general public not to believe in rumours and be aware of false videos. It advised them to confirm any circulation of unfounded videos by dialling rumour-free number - 9233522822 of the Central Control room and to return looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or nearest security forces immediately.
