328 weapons and ammunition recovered in Manipur: Rifles like SLR-INSAS included; Security forces conducted raids in 5 districts

In a joint search operation by security forces in Manipur, 328 weapons and ammunition were recovered. These include rifles like self-loading rifles (SLR) and INSAS.

Manipur Police ADGP Lhari Dorji Lhatoo said that a joint team of police, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), Army and Assam Rifles raided five districts on the midnight of 13-14 June.

In this, 151 SLR rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, six AK series rifles, two Amog rifles, one AR-15 rifle, five carbine guns, two MP5 guns, 12 light machine guns (LMG), six pistols and other war materials were recovered.

Apart from this, 591 magazines and thousands of rounds were recovered. These include 3534 SLR rounds, 2186 INSAS rounds, 234 AK rounds, 407 Amog rounds, 2252 rounds of .303 and 20 rounds of 9 mm. 10 grenades, three lethodes, seven detonators and three para shells were also recovered in the operation.

5 pictures of the weapons…

10 days ago, a search operation was conducted in 8 districts. The Army and Assam Rifles conducted a search operation between May 26 and June 5 along with Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF and ITBP. During this, raids were conducted in Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Imphal East and Imphal West districts based on intelligence inputs.

23 cadres were arrested and 40 weapons, nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition were recovered. In Chadong in Imphal East district, the Army recovered 05 IEDs with a total of 35 kg of explosives.

Two 12-bore rifles, explosives, ammunition and war-related items were recovered from a hideout. On June 1, two IEDs, one .303 rifle, four single barrel rifles, three improvised mortars (Pompey), ammunition and other war materials were recovered from Khuangmun in Churachandpur district.

Violence broke out on June 7 after the arrest of a Meitei leader

Violence broke out in the state after the arrest of Meitei leader Ashem Kanan Singh on June 7. Vehicles were burnt in many areas of Imphal, tyres and old furniture were also burnt on the roads. Apart from clashes with the police, the protesters also tried to burn themselves by pouring petrol.

Ashem was arrested by the CBI. He was a head constable in the Manipur Police. He was suspended in March for being involved in criminal activities. He was a member of Arambai Tangol (AT) and used to smuggle weapons across the border while in the police.

President’s rule from February 13, new government likely to be formed by June 15 Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 13, but the current assembly has not been dissolved. It is only suspended. However, on April 30, 21 MLAs sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding immediate formation of a popular government in the state. 14 BJP MLAs have signed the letter.

After this, 10 NDA MLAs met Governor Ajay Bhalla at Imphal Raj Bhavan on 28 May. One of these MLAs told Bhaskar, ‘The structure of the new government has been discussed. It is expected that a government will be formed by June 15.’