On Monday, the Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the police, successfully recovered a cache of illegal weapons and war-like stores from the Loiching range in Kangpokpi, Manipur. The seized items included one AK 56 rifle equipped with two magazines, a single-shot barrel rifle, a Chinese grenade, a round of mortar, 100 rounds of AK 56 ammunition, and seven fired cases of the single-shot barrel rifle.
In recent months, the Assam Rifles has actively conducted intelligence-based operations, concentrating on identifying and neutralizing illegal weapon smuggling networks. Through meticulous surveillance and coordinated efforts, the force has effectively disrupted these networks, leading to the confiscation of a substantial cache of weapons, as highlighted in a statement issued by the Assam Rifles.
The statement emphasized the unwavering commitment of the Assam Rifles to maintaining law and order, expressing determination to dismantle such networks and ensure the safety and well-being of the local populace.
This seizure follows a reported firing incident in Manipur's Tengnoupal, where the Assam Rifles subsequently recovered 13 bodies from the area. Manipur has been grappling with ethnic clashes since May, resulting in over 180 fatalities. The clashes stem from various grievances between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The crisis intensified when there was an attempt to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis, a move that has since been rolled back. Meiteis, constituting approximately 53% of Manipur's population, predominantly inhabit the Imphal valley, while the tribal communities, including Nagas and Kukis, make up around 40% and reside mainly in the hill districts.
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