Security Forces Recover More Arms, Ammunition, War-Like Stores In Crisis-Hit Manipur

Security forces have recovered war-like stores and a large cache of arms and ammunition in Manipur.

Security forces have recovered war-like stores and a large cache of arms and ammunition in Manipur. ( Image Source :Assam Rifles )

Guwahati: Security forces have carried out a search operation in Manipur’s Thoubal district on intel input and recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and war-like stores. The search operation carried out by the joint team of the Assam Rifles and the Manipur police recovered a 9mm pistol, eight grenades, one radio set, several live rounds of ammunition and other war-like stores.

In another operation in the Nongpok Sekmai area of the district, the security forces recovered three launcher rifle grenades and live rounds of ammunition. Later, the seized arms and ammunition were handed over to the Thoubal police, the Assam Rifles said in a press release.

Meanwhile, another operation was launched by the joint team of columns from Assam Rifles, the Indian Army and the Manipur Police in the Sawombung area of Imphal East district to nab a militant who was reportedly present in the area.

During the search operation, an active cadre of the banned Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), Shiningson Chilhang (45), was nabbed at a checkpoint on National Highway 202 near Sawombung. 

The team of security forces also seized one 9mm carbine along with five live rounds of ammunition from his possession. Chilhang is a resident of Leikoiching village in Manipur’s Senapati district. The militant along with the seized weapon were later handed over to the Lamlai police in Imphal East district for further legal action, the press release further stated.

The four-month-long ethnic clashes in Manipur have claimed the lives of at least 167 people since violence erupted in the state on May 3 this year. On the other hand, the violence has also displaced thousands of people belonging to both communities forcing them to take shelter in relief camps.

Clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities broke out on May 3 this year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.