Manipur: Huge cache of arms recovered, top militant held; 50 kg opium seized

Imphal, July 14 (IANS) The security forces in Manipur have recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition, arrested a dreaded militant of the outlawed PREPAK outfit, and seized around 50 kg of suspected opium worth over Rs 3 crore in separate operations, officials said on Tuesday.

A senior police official said that a joint team of the Manipur Police and the 19 Garhwal Rifles, during a search operation on Tuesday, recovered a large cache of arms, explosives and war-like stores from the forest area of K. Thenjang village in Churachandpur district, which shares borders with Myanmar and Mizoram.

The official said that a detailed report on the recovered arms and ammunition, including sophisticated weapons, is awaited.

In another operation, the security forces arrested a dreaded militant belonging to the banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) from the Yourabung Panthoibi Leikai area under Imphal East district. Eight powerful hand grenades were also recovered from his possession.

The arrested militant was identified as Ningombam Amuthoi Meitei (30), a resident of Imphal East district.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Police recovered 49 packets of suspected opium weighing approximately 50 kg from an abandoned car found near Hengbung Baptist Church along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2).

According to the police, the vehicle had earlier sped away after evading a naka checking point at T. Khullen under Senapati Police Station in Senapati district. Documents belonging to one Z. Reithingam (52), a resident of Ukhrul district, were also recovered from the abandoned vehicle.

Further investigation into the case is underway. The police official said that the seized opium is estimated to be worth over Rs 3 crore in the illicit market.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the illegal consignment had originated from neighbouring Myanmar, which shares around 400 km of unfenced border with Manipur.

Myanmar remains one of the world’s major producers of opium, particularly in its northern regions, including Kachin and Shan states.

The latest seizure marks yet another major crackdown on Myanmar-linked drug trafficking networks operating in Manipur over the past several months.

Meanwhile, the Central and state security forces have continued their extensive crackdown against militants, with search operations and area domination exercises being conducted regularly in fringe, mixed-population and other vulnerable areas across the state.

A total of 111 nakas/checkpoints have been set up across Manipur in both the valley and hill districts to curb the movement of militants, anti-social elements and suspicious vehicles.

Security forces have also been providing escorts to vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Strict security arrangements and convoy protection continue in vulnerable stretches to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of vehicles.

The Manipur Police have once again urged people not to believe rumours or unverified information and advised them to remain cautious of fake videos and misleading content circulating on social media.

–IANS

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