Security advisor details recoveries, arrests made
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 13 2023: In proactive effort to maintain peace and security, security forces conducted extensive search operations in various vulnerable areas across Manipur, spanning districts such as Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur from October 10 to 13.The operations reportedly resulted in significant recoveries, including arms, ammunition, explosives, and other warlike stores.

Informing this during a press meet at the CM's secretariat here on Friday, security advisor Kuldiep Singh said that during these operations, a total of 36 arms, 314 ammunition, 17 explosives, and 101 other warlike stores were recovered.

Additionally, three vehicles, two Maruti Gypsy, and one Maruti Baleno car were also seized.

He, however, denied having information of central security forces imposing restrictions to journalists and forcing them to delete news footage at Sabungkhok village on Friday.

He said that on October 10, around 4.30 am, a combined team of central security forces and Bishnupur district police recovered two country made Pompi canons from Khousabung area in Churachandpur district under Moirang police station.

On October 11 morning, Kakching district police, during an operation in Khoidum Pat area Hiyanglam PS in Kakching district, found a white plastic bag hidden in a secluded bushy area containing two 9mm Carbine 1A1 bearing registration number 16200640 SAF 1998 and 16200877 SAF 1998, one empty 9mm Carbine magazine, and one Indian made hand grenade marked as 36 MMK.

On the same day, around 3.30 pm, Imphal West district police arrested cadres of a UG group namely Ningombam Khelen (28) son of N Inao-bi of Pukhao Khewa Phur-ju Awang Leikai, Laishram Bedan alias Rajo Meitei (25) son of late Dolen Meitei of Pukhao Khewa Phurju, and Irom Davidson (26) son of Daju Singh of Kakwa Huidrom Leikai from North AOC, under Imphal PS along with one 9 mm pistol with magazine and eight rounds, seven mobile phones, one Maruti Gypsy without registration number, a waist bag containing an Aadhaar Card and Rs 5,370 cash, he said.

On October 12, a combined team of central security forces and Churachandpur district police, while Conducting combing operation in Gothol-Phouljang areas of Churachandpur district, seized one MP-5 with magazine, one 9mm CMG with magazine, one 38.8 tear gas gun, one .38 mm anti-riot rubber bullet cartridges, three anti-riot tear smoke grenades (CS), two tear smoke shells soft nose (50 m), one each country-made mortar, country made bomb, combat dress and pouch.

On the same day, Thoubal district police and central security forces, in an operation in Usoipokpi Makha and Sangomsang under Lilong PS seized one SLR with registration number 15131096, five SLR magazines, and three 51mm HE mortar shells, Kuldiep informed.

He further said that on Thursday, a combined team of Imphal West district police and central security forces, conducted searches in Kameng, Khamran and Mana Ingkhol areas, and recovered three Carbines with five magazines, one 9 mm pistol with one magazine, one 7.65 lama pistol with one magazine, three 36 HE Grenades, one air gun with scope, 67 live rounds of 9mm, 78 live rounds of 0.45mm, one plastic magazine of INSAS Rifles, eight BP Jackets, 13 pairs of police uniform along with one pant, eight pairs of Jungle boots, 19 dummy wooden rifles, three wireless set with four chargers, one receipt booklet of KCP (PWG Kangla), one attendance register, six mobile phones, and one Maruti Gypsy without registration number.

In another operation at Singda Kuki village on Thursday, combined team of SFs and district police seized an improvised canon, two improvised projectile launchers, two muzzle loading rifles, one .303 rifle with three live rounds, two country made rounds, and one Lathode bomb.

At the same time, combined team of Churachandpur district police and other SFs seized one .303 rifle with two live rounds, and one tear gas gun with two shells of tear gas from Churachandpur district.

The seized weapons are found to be part of the arms and ammunition looted from DHQ Churachandpur armoury.

In yet another operation carried out on the basis of intelligence reports regarding transportation/dumping of sophisticated arms and ammunition by armed miscreants at Charoi Khullen village under Loktak PS, a combined team of Bishnupur district police and SFs carried out search operation leading to seizures of one 9mm Carbine (16200830, SAF - 1998), one magazine, one .303 Rifle, one .32 Sniper Rifle with magazine and four live rounds, 90 live rounds of 7.62 mm (AK series), two 36 HE Hand Grenades, six live rounds of 7.62 mm SLR, five number of 33 detonators, 45 live rounds of 9mm ball ammunition, 35 Safety Fuses, and one plastic container of gun powder, he added.

Meanwhile, teams of IW district police arrested two active members of KCP (City Meitei) from near Hot Bite Cafe, Thangmeiband.

They have been identified as Ningthoujam Chalamba (26) son of late N Subol of Khurai Sajor Leikai, and Yendrembam Goutam (25) son of Y Ahong-jao of Sekta Mayai Leikai.

They disclosed that they are working under the command of self-styled chairman Brojen alias City Meitei since June 2023 and on his advice, they demanded huge amount from the shop owners of Imphal West and Imphal East districts for their party fund.

One 9mm pistol RFI along with one magazine loaded with 4 live rounds bearing body no 18305913 (suspected to be looted from security forces), one pistol marked as ".32 7.65 PISTOL MADE IN JAPAN" along with one magazine loaded with 3 live rounds, one Baleno car black in colour without registration number, three mobile handsets and two wallets containing two Aadhaar cards and Rs 200 were seized from their possession.

Movement 370 vehicles along NH-37 and 250 vehicles along NH-2 carrying essential items have been ensured.

Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.

A total of 134 checkpoints were installed in different districts, both in the hill and the valley and police detained 2055 persons in connection with violations and verifications, Kuideip Singh said.

Interestingly, the security advisor denied having knowledge of the incident of central security forces imposing restrictions to media persons and forcing them to delete footage in Sabungkhok village on Thursday.

Responding to poser from media about the incident, Kuldiep Singh said that he has no information of such incidents and asked hjs subordinate staff to get a detailed information about the incident.

He also urged media persons to file complaint to police if they face such situations in future.

While responding to a question related with the ambush laid on additional SP (Ops) Moreh in Lokchao area a few days back, the security advisor said that police often face such situations and the department is well-equipped to handle such incidents.

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