Imphal: Manipur Police on Monday said four individuals allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of arms and ammunition were arrested on Saturday and seized a massive cache of weapons, explosives, and other warlike stores from their possession.
The four accused were nabbed with multiple assault rifles, explosives, ammunition, and other combat equipment.
They were identified as Rajkumar Sidharth, 33, of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, Imphal West; Laishram Rameshor Meitei, 44, of Lairikyengbam Leikai Salan Leirak, Imphal East; Athokpam Brojendro Singh, 45, of Top Awang Leikai, Imphal East; and Laishram Sachikanta Singh alias Naothing, 25, of Top Awang Leikai, Imphal East.
All four are said to be members of a Keishal Village Volunteer Organization, a group of village defence volunteers and were actively engaged in ‘transporting arms for unlawful purposes’.
The recovery included AK, Ghatak and INSAS rifles, several 7.62mm SLRs, .303 rifles including a modified one fitted with a scope, 9mm carbines, and a defective pistol. More than a thousand rounds of live ammunition of different calibres, empty cases, barrel cartridges, and several magazines were also seized. Explosives such as a No. 36 HE grenade, a Chinese grenade, and a WP grenade with detonators were found along with tube launcher.
Other items recovered included Baofeng wireless sets with extra batteries and chargers, bulletproof vests and plates, camouflage helmets, mobile phones, Aadhaar cards, and arms accessories.
A case has been registered and police have launched an investigation to trace the source of the weapons and the wider network behind the supply.
Police described the seizure as a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms in Manipur, warning that such activities pose a grave threat to public safety.
Police appeals to the public to surrender any arms, ammunition, and explosives to the nearest police station or security forces.
