Imphal East: Manipur Police have notched up significant successes in their ongoing drive against illegal firearms, with a 41-year-old man arrested in Imphal East and a substantial arms cache unearthed in Churachandpur. The operations underscore the heightened vigilance of security forces across the state’s vulnerable and fringe areas.
On July 2, law enforcement officials apprehended Thokchom Rajesh Meitei of Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai from the Bamon Kampu Makha Leikai area, falling under the jurisdiction of Irilbung Police Station. From his possession, police recovered a .32 pistol with its magazine, a live .32mm round, and a 7.62 x 30mm AK rifle round, signalling a firm crackdown on individuals possessing illicit weaponry.
The following day, July 3, marked a major breakthrough in Churachandpur district. In a forested expanse near Maovom village, under Churachandpur Police Station, security forces discovered a veritable arsenal. The haul included a country-made AK rifle with a magazine, a lathode gun, four country-made pistols with magazines, three single-barrel rifles, a country-made sten carbine, and four pump-action firearms of varying dimensions.
The cache extended to a significant quantity of ammunition, with six 5.56mm live rounds, six spent 5.56mm casings, one live AK-47 (7.62mm) round, nine empty 7.62mm casings, three live pump-action rounds, six 12-gauge cartridges, and two 7.62mm SLR/BDR empty casings. An empty lathode round casing was also part of the recovery. Further, the site yielded military-grade gear, including a bulletproof jacket, a helmet, a Baofeng walkie-talkie set (though without an antenna), and a pair of jungle boots, suggesting a deeper network.
In a parallel operation on the same day, security personnel operating in the Wangoo Naodakhong area under Kumbi Police Station in Bishnupur district also made a recovery. Here, a .32 pistol, two empty magazines, and two live .32mm rounds were seized, adding to the growing list of illicit arms taken off the streets. Authorities have reiterated their steadfast resolve to continue these intensified search operations in sensitive regions, aiming to effectively curb the proliferation of illegal arms and to steadfastly uphold public safety across Manipur.
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