Imphal, 25 June (HS): Manipur Police has achieved a major success by busting an interstate arms smuggling gang. Police spokesperson said on Wednesday that in the action taken on the basis of intelligence information, the police arrested four smugglers and seized a large quantity of illegal weapons and communication equipment.
The arrested accused have been identified as Sinam Somendrao Meitei (43), alias Pankei/Richards, resident of Thangmeiband, Imphal West, who is said to be a member of the banned outfit UNLF (P), Lanchemba Nongthomba (24), Nongmeibung Ayangpalli, Imphal East, RK Abote Singh (33), alias Rohit, Singjami Chirom Laikai, Imphal West and Biswanath Thoichom (21), Kongpal Mutum Laikai, resident of Imphal East.
The weapons recovered in the police operation include two 9 mm pistols, 19 JD Taurus (7.65 mm), Falcon Cal (7.62 mm), M-20 Falcon, Keltec (.32 mm), Beretta and Glock (.32 mm) pistols.
Along with this, the police also recovered 11 magazines, 129 bullets, 159 live bullets of .32 mm, three mobile phones and four wireless handsets.
The police suspect that this gang was supplying weapons to militants and criminal elements active in the state and outside the state. Investigation of the entire network and its links is going on.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
