Army And Assam Rifles Facilitate The Surrender Of Weapons in Manipur

Imphal: The Assam Rifles, operating under the Army’s Spear Corps, in coordination with Manipur Police, other security forces and the civil administration has facilitated the surrender of 99 weapons in the hill and valley districts of Manipur between February 27 and March 1, a senior official of the Army’s Eastern Command said. Over 300 weapons have been surrendered in the state after the Governor’s recent appeal.
“Persistent negotiations by the security forces in the area of Phaitol, in the Tamenglong district, resulted in the surrender of 17 locally made single barrel rifles, nine improvised mortars (Pompi), grenades, ammunition and other war like stores. At Saikul in the Kangpokpi district, engagement by Assam Rifles in coordination with other stake holders resulted in surrender of seven 12 bore pump action guns and 15 improvised mortars. Similar engagement by Assam Rifles at Sagolmang in the Imphal East district resulted in the surrender of five 12 bore bolt action rifles, a lathode (improvised grenade launcher) gun and 11 improvised mortars,” the official said.
According to him, security forces also facilitated the surrender of 10 weapons that include a 7.62 mm Self Loading Rifle (SLR), a .303 rifle, four single bore barrel rifles, two pistols and two improvised mortars in the hill areas on February 27. A day later, 14 weapons, including a sniper rifle, a pistol, five improvised mortars, two INSAS rifles, a carbine machine gun, a country made pistol, a 51 mm mortar, two improvised mortars, three IEDs, ammunition and war like stores were surrendered in the Kanagpokpi and Tengnoupal district.
“The Indian Army also engaged with relevant stake holders in the general areas of Moirangpurel, Itham and facilitated the surrender of a Sten Machine Carbine, three 12 bore single barrel rifles and a .303 rifle. In general area Siden, in the Churachandpur district, the Army facilitated surrender of five weapons comprising a .303 Rifle, a 7.62 mm Rifle, a 12-bore rifle, a single barrel rifle, an improvised mortar, an IED and ammunition,” he said.
Intelligence based joint operations in the Samukom area of Tengnoupal district also resulted in the recovery of six weapons comprising a 12 bore Single Barrel Rifle, a muzzle loaded rifle, two 9mm pistols, two improvised mortars, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and ammunition. The recovered arms have been handed over to the Manipur Police.