Imphal, 26 July (HS): Security forces and Manipur Police conducted a series of successful operations across the state over the last 24 hours, recovering a large cache of arms, narcotics and cash linked to drug trafficking while arresting several militants and suspects.

During search operations at Shangkai village, Mongkot Chepu village and nearby areas under Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district, security forces recovered a locally made pompi gun, a 12-bore rifle, nine live rounds of ammunition of different calibres, besides a home-made improvised mortar shell and an improvised explosive device (IED).

In another operation, security forces raided the Highway Auto Care Workshop at Patsoi Lamkhai along NH-37 and recovered 30 soap cases containing 346 grams of brown sugar from a Pajero vehicle (MN07D-3481) parked at the workshop. Two co-owners of the workshop, Sheikh Salauddin (46), a resident of Odisha, and Chongtham Anilkumar Singh (38) of Patsoi Part-IV, were arrested.

Meanwhile, Manipur Police arrested two active cadres of the UNLF (P), identified as Mutum Seitaraj Singh alias Samlang (31) and Thounaojam Rakesh Meitei alias Amuba alias Pangeingakpa (35), from Thoubal Bazar. The duo was allegedly involved in recruiting new cadres for the outfit. A Maruti Suzuki Swift car was also seized from their possession.

In a separate operation, police arrested an active cadre of the KCP (City Meitei), Yaikhom Abhinash Meetei alias Naoba alias Abi (26), from Kongpal Khongkham Leikai under Porompat Police Station in Imphal East district.

Continuing its crackdown on the narcotics network, Manipur Police arrested Mrs. Zenngaihniang (56) of Gouchinkhup Veng, New Lamka, Churachandpur district in connection with an NDPS Act case registered at Churachandpur Police Station. Police recovered ₹28,78,400 suspected to be proceeds of drug trafficking. Investigators said the accused was involved in transferring large sums of money to suspected beneficiaries of the drug trade in Myanmar. Five cash registers and a cash-counting machine were also seized.

In another recovery, security forces recovered two modified .303 rifles, four bolt-action single-barrel guns, four 9 mm pistols, one Chinese hand grenade and 15 barrel cartridges from the Akham-Lamdeng stretch under Lamsang Police Station in Imphal West district.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash