Imphal, 11 January (HS): Manipur Police have arrested two senior cadres of the banned militant outfit KCP (Noyon) in connection with coordinated firing incidents reported at three locations in Imphal West district on January 9.

According to officials at the state police headquarters, investigators were able to identify the accused after examining CCTV footage from the firing sites at Langjing Achouba, Ghari and Sangaiprou areas. Following this, police apprehended 65-year-old Khaidem Ranjit from his residence at Sagolband Moirang Hanuba and 63-year-old Sanasam Birmangal from the Phumlou area.

Police recovered an M-20 pistol used in the attack, live ammunition, three scooters and a mobile phone handset from their possession. Authorities claimed that the two accused were involved in at least eight separate firing incidents, including an earlier attack on the residence of Dr Loken at Uripok in Imphal West.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from Awlmun village in Kangpokpi district. The seized items included one AK-47 rifle, a total of seven firearms, four improvised mortars, two hand grenades, 38 rounds of ammunition, military uniforms and a hand-held radio set.

Arms were also recovered from other districts. A suspected improvised firearm was seized during a patrol in the Monglham area of Imphal East district, while a single-barrel gun was recovered from the area between Saiden and Changpikot villages in Churachandpur district.

Police said investigations into the firing incidents and arms recoveries are continuing.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash