NEW DELHI: A large quantity of arms and ammunition, including more than 300 rifles, was recovered from the five districts of Imphal valley, Manipur, a government official said on Saturday.ADGP Manipur Police, Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo, said that the intelligence-led raids were conducted on the intervening night of June 13-14.“In the intervening night of 13-14 June, search operations were launched in the outskirts of 5 valley districts by joint teams of Manipur Police, CAPF, Army, and Assam Rifles. Explosives and other warlike stores were recovered by the joint teams. 151 SLR rifles, 65 Insas rifles, 73 rifles of other kinds, five carbine guns, 2 MP-5 guns and other warlike stores were recovered,” Lhatoo said in a press conference in Imphal.The recovery was made during a joint operation carried out by Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the Army. The operation was based on intelligence inputs and was conducted on the night between Friday and Saturday, the official said.The seized items included 151 SLR rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, 73 other rifles, five carbine guns, two MP5 guns, 12 light machine guns, six AK series rifles, two Amogh rifles, one mortar, six pistols, one AR-15, and two flare guns.The official said that specific intelligence was received about a large number of arms and ammunition being hidden in various locations across the valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Thoubal. Based on this, simultaneous search operations were launched, leading to the recovery.He added that the operation is an important step in the ongoing work of the security forces to bring back normal conditions, maintain public order, and keep people and property safe in the state.In addition to the 328 rifles and guns, the forces also recovered 591 magazines, 3,534 rounds for SLRs, 2,186 INSAS rounds, 2,252 rounds for .303 rifles, 234 rounds for AKs, 407 Amogh rounds, 20 pistol rounds (9mm), 10 grenades, three lathodes, and seven detonators.The police repeated their request for public cooperation in keeping Manipur safe. They asked people to report any suspicious activities or information about illegal weapons to the nearest police station or to the Central Control Room.The official also said that senior police officers are in regular contact with all security agencies to make sure such operations continue in a focused way.
