Imphal: Security forces conducted a series of operations across different districts of Manipur, leading to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, arrest of several militant cadres and an alleged extortionist, seizure of narcotics, and destruction of illicit poppy cultivation, police said on Saturday.
Security forces, in a series of operations conducted on Friday, recovered a substantial quantity of arms and war-like stores from Sangaithel Makha Leikai area under Patsoi Police Station in Imphal West district. The items seized included one modified .303 rifle without magazine, two locally made bolt-action single barrel guns, four pistols each with a magazine, two No.36 HE grenades without detonators, one HE bomb, 15 rounds of .303 ammunition with three charger clips, eight .303 blank cartridges, one SLR blank cartridge, one bulletproof vest with two iron plates, two camouflage helmets and three bags.
In another operation, security personnel recovered additional arms and ammunition from a forested area of Thinghijang village under Churachandpur district. The recovery comprised one AK-47 rifle with magazine, three single barrel guns, one bolt-action single barrel gun, one bolt-action sniper rifle fitted with a scope, seven 7.62 mm fired cases and two SLR magazines.
An active cadre was apprehended from his residence under Lamsang Police Station in Imphal West district.
In a separate operation conducted the same day, another active cadre was arrested from his residence under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West district.
Security forces further arrested an active cadre, from Uyal Makha Leikai area under Thoubal district.
Another active cadre was arrested from Khuman Lampak area under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West district.
Meanwhile, in a major anti-narcotics operation, police arrested a 56-year-old woman from her grocery shop located along YPA Road in Churachandpur district. During the search, five soap cases containing heroin powder, approximately 5.35 kilograms of WY tablets, one two-wheeler scooter bearing registration number MN02G 9041 and one mobile phone were seized.
In a related development, security forces, in the presence of the district Executive Magistrate of Churachandpur, destroyed approximately 10 acres of illicit poppy cultivation at K. Bungsang under Samulamlan Sub-Division in Churachandpur district.
