An arm smuggler with huge consignment of illegal weapons has been arrested in Moreh town along the India-Myanmar international border, Manipur police said.
Police said that the smuggler is one of the accused involved in a case where three men tried to snatch a service gun on March 13. However, Moreh residents and civil bodies dismissed the police claim, stating that the individuals were civilians and the police were pressing wrong charges against them.
The arrested person has been identified as one Khaijamang Thouthang (30), son of Ngamjapao Thouthang of Yangoubung village, Moreh, Tengnoupal district. He was intercepted and arrested by a team of Moreh Police at Kondong Leirembi police check post near Chikim village on Thursday at around 2:40 pm when he was coming in a Maruti Swift Dzire bearing registration number WB 02 AF 3805.
On further verification, the police team found six ‘Glock pistols Gen 4, USA’ and one ‘M&P bodyguard 380 Smith & Wesson’ pistol which were kept concealed inside the front driver’s seat, gear box and stereo panel of the vehicle.
On further checking, six extra magazines of ‘Glock 21’; one extra magazine of ‘M&P Bodyguard 380’; 6 magazine cases; 6 cleaning rods; 12 pistol grips; 6 ‘H’ shape of plastic fiber; one set of ‘11’ cable lock; one mobile phone; one Aadhaar card; one driving license; ATM card along with one vehicle RC book were recovered, police added.
The arrested person along with the seized items have been handed over to Moreh police station for necessary action and officer-in-charge Moreh police station has taken up a case.
Police informed Imphal Free Press over the phone that the seized car was also used during the incident that happened on March 13 arms snatching case.
In connection with the incident, locals and some organizations of the area had strongly condemned the action of the police commando personnel stating that the three civilians had been brutally beaten and urged the government to withdraw commando personnel from Moreh town. Moreover, indefinite bandh along Moreh-Imphal road had also been imposed by local organisations.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren in his Facebook account on Friday night posted that the state government will give Rs 5 lakh cash with commendation as reward to the Superintendent of Police, Tengnoupal district. He further mentioned that the reward will be given for seizing a huge amount of contraband drugs and arms in recent times.
