Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Imphal: Manipur police and joint security forces have dismantled a weapons smuggling ring following a two-day operation in the Lamdeng area. The operation, conducted on May 20 and 21, resulted in the arrest of four cadres from the United National Liberation Front (P) and the recovery of a massive cache of military-grade arms and explosives.
Authorities initiated the crackdown after receiving intelligence about the sale of looted weapons in the Lamshang region. During the initial encounter, police apprehended two active cadres, 29-year-old Heishnam Thomas Singh and 29-year-old Arambam Tomtom Singh. Officials seized an INSAS light machine gun, three magazines, and 14 live rounds from the pair.
As the arrests occurred, associates of the suspects opened fire on security personnel. This sparked a brief gun battle, leading to the capture of two additional suspects, Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh and Chingakham Mahesh Singh. During questioning, the detainees confessed they were acting under the orders of a self-styled lance corporal named Naorem Bijoy, also known as Macha. They also admitted to participating in previous illegal arms sales.
Following these leads, a joint team consisting of the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force raided an unauthorized UNLF (P) camp in Lamdeng. The search uncovered 29 weapons on the first day, followed by an additional 38 pieces of military equipment the next day. The total recovery included AK-series and M-series rifles, sniper rifles, carbines, shotguns, mortars, an RPG-7 launcher, an anti-drone jammer, and various explosives.
Police officials have urged the public to report any information regarding looted or illegal weapons to ensure local security. The investigation into the smuggling network remains ongoing.
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