Huge cache of arms, ammunition recovered
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 16 2011: Police commandos on Thursday recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition belonging to PREPAK in a follow up to the arrest of two members of the outfit.

A woman said to be a member of the same outfit was also arrested in the arm recovery operation.

The recovered arms and ammunition include 25 numbers of mortar shells, 11 RPG shells with 13 extensors, five US carbine magazines, 52 lethode shells, two pressure bombs, three UMG magazines, one G-3 magazine, two SLR magazines, one M-16 rifle with magazine, one AK-56 rifle with magazine, one big sized shell and 30 AK ammunition.

The items were recovered from two fish farms in Kumbi area in a joint operation of the Imphal West police commandos and Bishnupur police commandos said SDPO, Imphal West Ibocha talking to media while displaying the recovered items at Imphal West district police headquarters.

A search operation was conducted based on the disclosures made by two PREPAK cadres, Khagembam Tomba Singh (28) son of Kh Ibungo of Kumbi Awang Leikai and Wahengbam Inaotombi Singh (33) son of W Ibojao of Kumbi Leirak Achouba, he said.

Huge cache of arms and ammunition seized by police from PREPAK cadres, three cadres stand in the background

Tomba and Inaotomba revealed that a huge amount of ammunition was handed over to them by four unknown cadres of PREPAK sent by Tomba's elder brother Self-Styled Sergeant Major Khangembam Shanta @ Asepa (40) of PREPAK.

One AK-56 rifle and one M-16 were handed over to one W Amurei Devi by S/S Sergeant Ningthoujam Prem (35) of PREPAK of Khordak Ichil which was again handed over to Tomba and Inaotomba, he added.

The arms and ammunition apprehended at 6.30 am of today from Amurei's residence.

The arms and ammunition were kept concealed in two fish farms situated at Kumbi Awang Khunou.

Amurei Devi wife of Thambalngou was picked up during the search operation, a police officer said while briefing media persons.

Imphal West police commandos nabbed three more activists of the same UG group in other joint counter insurgency operation with 18 Sikh Regiment at Samurou area on Wednesday.

A statement of the Senior Imphal West SP identified the activists as Md Mani Khan (35), Sorakhaibam Inaotomba (24) and Ksh Jotin Singh of Taothong Khunou.

The PREPAK activists were working under the command of Huidrom Devan @ Yambung of Upokpi and were involved in hurling a hand grenade at the houses of Dr Bilakshini Devi of Thangmeiband and Kesho of Taothong Apheibi and also attacked a Wangoi commando mobile team at Samurou on April 6, 2011, the statement said.

On Ksh Jotin's disclosure one IED was seized from his house.

One mobile handset was also seized from the possession of Md Mani Khan, the statement added.

Two more PREPAK activists were apprehended by troops of 23 AR during an operation at Sabungkhok area today.

They were identified as Laitonjam Dhananjoy alias Mangal (32) of Sabungkhok Mayai Leikai and Yendrembam Mahendra alias Meiraba (28) of Yaigangpokpi Makha Leikai, a statement of the IGAR(S) said.