Imphal, Sep 23: Security forces arrested nine hardcore militants and seized 36 weapons, several improvised explosive devices (IEDs), drugs, and other war-like materials from their possession in a series of joint operations across various districts of Manipur, officials reported on Tuesday.
The arrested individuals were affiliated with the Socialist Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (SOREPA), Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF)/People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF).
The recovered arms include four Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), four INSAS rifles, two .303 rifles, one AR-15/M-16 rifle, several bolt-action rifles, multiple 9mm pistols, a scope, 82 rounds of live ammunition, 25 magazines, and three mobile phones.
As per reports, the series of precise, intelligence-driven joint operations were conducted by the Army and Assam Rifles formations, in close coordination with Manipur Police at across seven districts -- Tengnoupal, Thoubal, Imphal East, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Chandel, which comprises the Imphal valley and hilly regions.
This was confirmed by Defence Spokesman Lt Col Amit Shukla.
A Manipur police official reported that during an operation on Monday night along the Sita-Tengnoupal road in Tengnoupal district, near the Myanmar border, security forces recovered 600 packets containing 1,20,000 highly addictive methamphetamine tablets.
Weighing 13 kg and valued at over Rs 39 crore, the drugs were found on a Chinese Kenbo bike abandoned by an unidentified rider who fled upon spotting the security personnel.
The contraband and the two-wheeler have been seized, and an investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the rider.
Police officials suspect the methamphetamine tablets were smuggled from Myanmar, which shares a 398-km unfenced border with Manipur. Security forces continue to carry out intensive search operations and maintain area domination in vulnerable and fringe areas across both the hilly regions and the Imphal valley.
A total of 116 checkpoints (Nakas) have been set up across various districts of the state. In the past 24 hours, three individuals were detained at these checkpoints. Search operations and security measures remain ongoing to ensure law and order across the region.
