Manipur: Arms seized in Ukhrul as youths' arrest triggers clashes with Assam Rifles
Imphal: Security forces recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and explosives during an anti-insurgency operation in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Saturday amid confrontations with local residents, mostly women.
According to a Manipur Police morning bulletin issued on Sunday, the recovery was made in the areas around Shangkai and Mongkot Chepu villages under Litan Police Station.
The seized items included a locally made pompi gun, a 12-bore rifle, nine live rounds of different calibres, a homemade improvised mortar shell and an improvised explosive device (IED).
The operation came after a tense standoff in the Leingangching area following the arrest of four Naga youths by Assam Rifles personnel on Saturday evening. The arrested individuals were identified as Khapai Simray Yuimung (28), Shomi Shokchui (38), Hungreithei Kasomva (37) and Khuirami Kasomva (36).
According to a complaint submitted by the Hungpung Village Administrative Council to the officer-in-charge of Ukhrul Police Station, the four villagers were detained by Assam Rifles personnel around 5 pm while working in their fields.
As the Assam Rifles convoy transported the four youths from Hungpung, it was stopped at Leingangching by local residents demanding their release. The village council also urged police to investigate the incident and ensure the safe release of the detainees.
The situation later escalated into confrontations in Shokvao, Litan and Shangshak Khullen. A large crowd overturned two Assam Rifles vehicles, prompting security personnel to fire tear gas shells and live rounds to disperse the mob.