A huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from two different areas of Imphal West district on Monday ahead of the Independence Day 2023 celebrations on Tuesday (August 15), police said.
According to the police, the arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered during search operations conducted in connection with the upcoming Independence Day celebrations in the state.
A police note mentioned that a combined team of Sekmai police station along with three teams of district commando under the supervision of SP, Imphal West S Ibomcha conducted search operations and area sensitisation from 12.30 pm to 2 pm at the hill ranges of Tingri, Imphal West, in connection with the Independence Day celebrations.
During the police action, seven HE grenades, seven Tube Launching 1A, seven grenades 90 MK 3 and one Carbine without magazine were found abandoned at the hill range and the same have been seized from the spot by observing formalities.
However, no individuals were arrested during the operation, the police said.
Meanwhile, another team of district commando, Imphal West also recovered arms, ammunition and explosives from Heirangoithong Oinam Loukol, Maibam Leikai road, Imphal West during a search operation conducted in connection with upcoming Independence day celebration.
The search operation was conducted around 1.20 pm at Heirangoithong Oinam Loukon area.
During the police action, one sub-machine gun 9mm carbine bearing registration number 15227752; one magazine of sub-machine gun 9mm carbine; one Sten Gun; one pistol; four HE 36 hand grenades without detonator; eight Ballistics rounds marked with H7.62 D; four Tube Launching; three rings and one magazine were recovered from the area.
Hence, the recovered items were seized and handed over to OC-Singjamei police station for taking further necessary legal action, the police said.
During the turmoil in Manipur, huge mobs had looted the armory of various police outposts, including the Manipur Rifles Battalions and IRB outposts. The state government has been continuing various steps to recover those looted arms, ammunition and explosives from the public.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh earlier also appealed to the people to hand over those arms and ammunition snatched from the state armory.
The same team also conducted a search operation at Sangaiprou Mamang Makha Leikai, Imphal West as a part of the precautionary measures ahead of Independence Day.
The search operation was conducted from 5.30 am to 7 am. During the operation, around 30 houses were searched and 70 individuals were verified; however, no one was detained or arrested.
Also Read: Security beefed up ahead of Independence Day 2023 in Imphal
