Huge cache of arms and ammos seized
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 16 2011: Along with the arrest of three sympathisers of PREPAK, a huge cache of arms and ammunition belonging to the same outfit have been discovered by a combined team of Imphal West and Bishnupur commandos.

Parading the arrested sympathisers, the seized arms and ammunition were also displayed before media persons at Commando Complex here this afternoon.

Imphal DSP (Commando) Sarangthem Ibomcha said that the combined team conducted search operations following intelligence input that a large number of arms and ammunition were being stockpiled in Kumbi area.

In the course of the operations, two men who are brothers-in-law were apprehended at about 5.15 am today.

They have been identified as Khangenbam Tomba (28) of Kumbi Awang Khunou and Wahengbam Inaotombi (33) of Kumbi Leirak Achouba.

Tomba and Inaotombi reportedly disclosed that a huge quantity of arms and ammunition were given to them for safe-keeping by four unidentified cadres of PREPAK about three months back.

The seized arms and ammunition put on display

They further disclosed that the cadres were sent there by Tomba's elder brother Shanta alias Asepa (40) who is a self styled Sergeant Major in PREPAK.

Further, another SS Sgt Ningthoujam Prem (35) of Khordak Ichil deposited one AK 56 rifle and one M-16 rifle with Wahengbam (O) Amurei Devi (33) of Kumbi Leirak Achouba.

Amurei later handed over the rifles to Tomba and Inaotombi.

Subsequently, Amurei was also picked up from her home at about 6.30 am, the DSP said.

The huge stockpile of arms and ammunition were found hidden inside two fish farms located at Kumbi Awang Khunou.

These included 25 mortar shells, 11 RPG shells, 13 RPG shell extensor, 52 lethod shells, 52 lethod shells, two pressure bombs, one G-3 rifle with magazine, one AK-56 rifle, one M-16 rifle, five magazines of US carbine, three UMG magazines, two SLR magazines and 30 rounds of AK ammunition.

DSP Ibomcha claimed that seizure of such huge quantity of arms and ammunition was a grand achievement of Manipur Police.

However, Manipur Police alone cannot achieve such success without people's support.

Due cases have been registered against the arrested trio and further investigation is on, the DSP added.