GUWAHATI: In a massive arms haul, Manipur Police and security forces recovered over 300 guns along with a huge quantity of ammunition during simultaneous operations carried out in the five districts of the Imphal Valley on the intervening night of June 13 and 14.
Altogether 328 weapons were recovered – SLR 151, INSAS 65, rifles of other kinds 73, carbines 5, MP5 2, LMG 12, AK series rifles 6, Amogh rifles 2, mortar 1, pistols 6, barrels 2, AR15 gun 1 and flare guns 2.
According to Additional Director General of Police Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo, the police acted on intelligence inputs about the presence of a large cache of arms and ammunition hidden in different areas of the Imphal Valley districts.
Simultaneous search operations were launched at different locations by joint teams of Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Army and Assam Rifles, leading to the recovery of the weapons.
"These intelligence-based operations mark a major achievement for the Manipur Police and the security forces in their continued efforts to restore normalcy, maintain public order and ensure the safety and security of citizens and their property," said a statement issued by the Manipur Police.
Senior police officials are in close coordination with all security stakeholders, the police said.
The miscreants had looted over 4,000 guns from police armouries and other establishments of the police during the ethnic conflict in the state. It was not clear if the recovered guns were among the looted weapons.
In its statement, the Manipur Police also reiterated its commitment to establishing a peaceful and secure Manipur.
The police urged the public to cooperate with the security forces and report any suspicious activities or information related to illegal weapons to the nearest police station or Central Control Room.