GUWAHATI, May 21: Manipur Police launched a special operation in the Lamshang area under Lamsang police station on Wednesday and apprehended four active cadres of UNLF (P) with arms and ammunition, including an INSAS light machine gun (LMG), three INSAS LMG magazines and 14 live rounds.
Initially, two cadres, identified as Heishnam Thomas Singh (29) of Mayang Imphal Kokchai and Arambam Tomtom Singh (29) of Lamshang Heibongpokpi Mayai Leikai, were apprehended during the operation was launched on the basis of credible information regarding the sale of looted arms and ammunition in the Lamshang area.
“While the arrest process was going on, associates of the cadres opened fire at the security forces, resulting in a brief exchange of fire. Further, two more cadres, involved in firing upon security forces, namely Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh and Chingakham Mahesh Singh, were apprehended,” a statement issued by Manipur Police on Thursday said.
On preliminary interrogation of the arrested cadres, they disclosed that they had come to sell the seized weapons on the instruction of self-styled lance corporal, Naorem Bijoy alias Macha of UNLF (P). They further admitted their involvement in earlier sale of looted arms and ammunition.
“Subsequently, based on the follow-up operation, joint security forces comprising of Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and CRPF conducted cordon and search operation at an unauthorised UNLF (P) camp located at Lamdeng, in which security forces recovered and secured a large cache of arms and war-like stores consisting of 29 weapons comprising AK series rifles, M-series rifles, pistols and other firearms,” the statement said.
Further, the joint security forces on Thursday recovered 38 additional weapons and heavy stores, comprising AK series rifles, M-series rifles, sniper rifle, carbine, shotguns, mortars, RPG-7 launcher, anti-drone jammer and a huge cache of explosives.
Meanwhile, Manipur Police have urged people to immediately report any information regarding looted or illegally possessed weapons to the nearest police station.
