Imphal, Sep 1 (PTI) – In a significant operation, Manipur Police have apprehended two individuals associated with the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol (AT) for their alleged role in arms trafficking. Eleven sophisticated firearms were confiscated from their possession, as per an official statement released on Monday.
The AT members were arrested in the Imphal West district on Saturday. The police statement indicated that they were reportedly in possession of illegal weapons intended for trafficking and engaging in activities prejudicial to public safety.
The seized cache included seven HK33 rifles, two M4A1 carbines, two .45 caliber pistols, alongside 40 empty magazines of various types and 100 cartridges of .45 caliber.
Those arrested were identified as Laishram Tondomba Singh, aged 27, and Tourangbam Amarjit Meitei, aged 20, both hailing from Lamding Mamang Leikai in Thoubal district. They have been presented before a court and subsequently placed under police custody for nine days.
Arambai Tenggol, however, asserted in a statement issued on Monday, "The activities of the two arrested individuals were conducted at a personal level and did not involve the group in any manner." Notably, Arambai Tenggol has faced accusations from Kuki groups concerning its alleged involvement in ethnic violence within the state.
Earlier in February, the group surrendered over 240 firearms to law enforcement agencies following appeals by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to disarm.
Since May 2023, ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei community based in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki community from the surrounding hills has resulted in over 260 deaths and displaced thousands of people in Manipur.
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