Imphal, 31 August (HS): Security Forces have intensified their operations across Manipur, leading to major recoveries of arms and multiple arrests of insurgent cadres over the past 24 hours.
Police PRO informed on Sunday that the forces recovered a significant cache of weapons from the inter-village road (IVR) linking Ngairangbam and Longa Koireng villages under Patsoi Police Station in Imphal West. The seized items included a 7.62 mm SLR, an INSAS rifle, a modified .303 rifle with magazine, four locally made bolt action single-barrel rifles, four pistols with magazines, empty magazines of INSAS LMG, INSAS rifle and SLR, a monocular night vision device, .303 ammunition, cartridges and two Baofeng handheld sets.
On the same day, another operation in the Kongba Maru Hill Range under Sagolmang Police Station, Imphal East, resulted in the recovery of two DBBL guns, a 9mm pistol with magazine, a .32 pistol with magazine, a country-made pistol with magazine, two ‘pompis’, assorted live rounds and cartridges, two 36 HE hand grenades, one Motorola set, two Baofeng handheld sets with charger and an ammunition box.
Security Forces also made several key arrests. In another operation, a rebel of PREPAK (PRO) outfit, identified as Konjengbam Bijen Singh alias Korou (41) of Moirang Konjengbam Maning Leikai, was apprehended at Tera Urak Checkpoint in Bishnupur district.
The following day, another rebel linked to SOREPA, Maisnam Abhi Singh alias Khomba (40) of Kwakeithel Thounaojam Leikai, was arrested from Sangaiprou FCI crossing in Imphal West. He was allegedly involved in extortion activities in the valley areas. Four demand letters of Socialist Revolutionary Party (Sorepa), an Aadhaar card, wallet, and a two-wheeler were seized from him.
Meanwhile, in another operation, four active cadres of the proscribed PLA were arrested from the area near BP-86, Tengnoupal. They were identified as Chabungbam Nanaocha Meeitei (21) of Imphal East, Waikhom Thoi Meitei (30) of Imphal East, Ningthoujam Rakesh (25) of Thoubal and Tekcham Nanao Singh (25) of Imphal West.
Adding to the crackdown, on August 30, Manipur Police apprehended Laishram Sanjoy Singh (52) of Sagolmang Khewa, a rebel of RPF/PLA outfit, from Yumnam Patlou Chingjel under Sagolmang Police Station. A mobile phone was recovered from his possession.
Authorities said these operations mark a major blow to insurgent groups in the state, curbing both their firepower and extortion activities.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
