Police arrest 4, arms seized
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 25 2025: State police cracked down on an inter-State organised gang of arms smugglers arresting four members yesterday.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Sinam Somendro Meitei (43), Lanchemba Nongthomba (24), RK Abothe Singh (33) and Bishwanath Thokchom (21).The four members of the arms smuggling gang were operating clandestinely in the greater Imphal area, said the police.

They were arrested yesterday during intelligence based combing operations and cordon and search operations, said the police.

Sinam Somendro Metei alias Pankhei alias Richard hails from Thangmeiband, Imphal West district, and is an alleged cadre of the Pambei-led UNLF, said the police.

Lanchemba Nongthomba hails from Nongmeibung Ayangpali, Imphal East district, RK Abothe Singh alias Rohit hails from Singjamei Chirom Leikai, Imphal West district, and Bishwanath Thokchom hails from Kongpal Mutum Leikai, Imphal East district.

From their possession, police recovered incriminating articles, arms and ammunition.

The items recovered include:
1) one Smith & Wesson 9 mm Pistol along with 2 magazines and 24 rounds of ammunition
2) one Smith & Wesson 9 mm along with one magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition
3) Sig Sauer Pistol 9 mm with one magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition
4) one Glock 19 with 2 magazines and 28 rounds of ammunition
5) one JD Taurus Pistol 7.65 mm with one magazine and 8 rounds of ammunition
6) one Falcon Cal 7.62 mm along with one magazine and 9 rounds of ammunition
7) M-20 Falcon Pistol along with one magazine
8) Keltec Pistol .32 mm with 2 magazines and 15 rounds of ammunition
9) one Beretta Pistol with one magazine and 2 rounds of ammunition
10) one Glock Pistol .32 with one magazine
11) 159 bullets of .32 mm
12) 3 mobile phones, and
13) Four wireless handsets

Further, in operations to curb extortion activities, police arrested three alleged active cadres of Pambei-led UNLF from Babupara yesterday and recovered several arms and ammunition.

The three arrested individuals have been identified as Konthoujam Opendro Singh (46) alias Ibomcha of Mongsangei Awang Leikai, Tokpam Tomcha Singh (55) of Wangkhei Tokpam Leikai, and Kelthellakpam Saratchandra Mangang (53) of Khurai Soibam Leikai Ahongei Leirak.

They were involved in extortion activities, and threatening Govt employees to gain contract works, said the police.

The items recovered from the three include two 9 mm Pistol along with 2 magazines and eight rounds of ammunition; one .32 Pistol along with one magazine loaded with four rounds of 7.65 mm ammunition; four mobile handsets, a sum of Rs 3,800; and one TVS Ntorq scooter.

In two separate operations, State police also arrested two cadres of different outfits.

One of the arrested persons has been identified as Md Islam Khan alias Atappa (29) of Hayellabuk Mayai Leikai.

He was arrested from Lilong Hangamthabi area under Lilong-PS, Thoubal district, and was involved in criminal activities such as extortion by serving monetary demands to individuals, shops, Govt establishments within Thoubal district, said the police.

The other individual has been identified as Thoudam Johnjackson Singh (42) alias John alias Hemjit of Liwa Road Ahongshangbam Leikai under Singjamei PS.

He is allegedly an active cadre of PREPAK(Pro), said the police.

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