Imphal, 06 July (HS): Security forces have recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and communication equipment during search operations in Manipur over the last 24 hours, while arresting eight persons, including. active cadres of militant outfits and alleged drug traffickers, in separate operations across the state.

Official sources informed on Monday, during a search operation on July 5 in the Koubru hill range near Mangjol village under Gamnom Sapermeina Police Station in Kangpokpi district, security forces recovered one 5.56 mm INSAS rifle with a magazine, 24 SBBL guns, one DBBL gun, one country-made pistol, two pompis, one locally made hand grenade, 35 rounds of ammunition of different calibres and two walkie-talkie sets.

In another operation, security forces arrested three active extortionists linked to the UNLF (Pambei) from the Keikhu area under Porompat Police Station in Imphal East district. The arrested persons were identified as Elangbam Tomba Singh (44), Patrick Golmei (44) and Athokpam Borish Singh (34).

In another operation on the same day, an active cadre of KCP (MFL), identified as Soram Manaoton Meitei alias Yening alias Udupa (32), was arrested from the Andro area under Andro Police Station in Imphal East district. A scooter and a mobile phone were seized from his possession.

Security forces also arrested four persons in separate but related operations under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East district and seized around 239 kg of contraband ganja. Those arrested include Mataimei W. Shimray, who was driving a Mahindra Bolero pickup, Ngangbam Dinesh (18), Phuritshabam Yaiphaba Meitei (18), who was riding a TVS Apache RTR 160, and Oinam Abung Meetei (42), who was arrested from his residence. The seized vehicles have also been taken into custody for further investigation.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash