Manipur Arms Recovery: Army and Security Forces Retrieve Insas Rifles, Grenades, and More
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Synopsis
In a coordinated effort, the Army and various security forces in Manipur recovered a significant cache of weapons and explosives across six districts, highlighting their commitment to restoring peace following recent ethnic riots.
Key Takeaways
- Joint operations by Army and state forces.
- Recovery of 25 weapons and significant ammunition.
- Destruction of illegal bunkers in Kangpokpi.
- Appeal by Governor led to over 1,020 weapons surrendered.
- Continued operations to retrieve illegally held arms.
Imphal, March 9 (NationPress) The Army, along with various Central and state forces, conducted a series of coordinated operations across six districts characterized by both mountainous terrain and valleys. These operations resulted in the recovery of 25 weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), numerous grenades, a substantial stockpile of ammunition, and other military supplies, as reported on Sunday.
Defence spokesperson Lt. Col Amit Shukla indicated that security personnel also dismantled several illegal bunkers in the Kangpokpi district.
On Saturday, security forces retrieved 25 firearms, multiple IEDs, numerous grenades, a large amount of ammunition, and various military supplies from the districts of Jiribam, Tengnoupal, Kakching, Ukhrul, Imphal East, and Imphal West.
Following the expiration of a 15-day deadline on March 6 for the surrender of looted and unlawfully possessed weapons and ammunition, the Army, in collaboration with the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF, and ITBP, has intensified their operations across the state.
The retrieved armaments include INSAS rifles, Carbines, Single Barrel guns, Single Barrel Bolt rifles, pump-action shotguns, one double-barrel rifle, pistols, mortars, IEDs, grenades, and military supplies.
These joint efforts by security forces underscore their steadfast dedication to ensuring peace and security in Manipur, stated Lt. Col Shukla.
He added that the Army and other Central and state forces would persist in their operations to recover additional looted and illegally possessed weapons and ammunition.
A senior police official mentioned that in response to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s appeal by March 6, more than 1,020 weapons and a vast stockpile of ammunition have been surrendered by various organizations and individuals across five valley districts, five hill districts, and the mixed-population district of Jiribam since the Governor's initial appeal on February 20.
Reports suggest that during the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities starting May 3, 2023, over 6,000 types of advanced weapons and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition were looted from police stations and outposts by mobs and militants from both communities.
Security forces also apprehended two militants from the Kakching and Imphal West districts and confiscated some weapons and ammunition from them. Additionally, one Farida Begum (37) was taken into custody from Phougakchao Awang Leikai close to the Ibudhou Thangjing Temple along National Highway-2. Authorities recovered 127 grams of heroin concealed in 10 soap cases from her possession.
