Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, July 14: Security forces in Manipur carried out multiple successful operations, recovering a large stockpile of weapons and explosives, arresting a militant linked to the banned People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and seizing nearly 50 kg of suspected opium valued at over Rs 3 crore, officials said on Tuesday.
According to a senior police officer, a joint team of the Manipur Police and the 19 Garhwal Rifles launched a search operation in the forested area of K. Thenjang village in Churachandpur district, located near the Myanmar and Mizoram borders. During the operation, the team recovered a significant cache of firearms, explosives and other military-grade materials. Authorities are preparing a detailed inventory of the seized weapons, including sophisticated firearms.
In a separate operation, security personnel apprehended a 30-year-old PREPAK operative, identified as Ningombam Amuthoi Meitei, from Yourabung Panthoibi Leikai in Imphal East district. Eight live hand grenades were recovered from his possession, police said.
Meanwhile, another major operation led to the recovery of 49 packets of suspected opium weighing around 50 kg from an abandoned vehicle near Hengbung Baptist Church on the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2). Investigators said the vehicle had fled after avoiding a police checkpoint at T. Khullen in Senapati district before being abandoned.
Police also recovered documents belonging to Z. Reithingam, a 52-year-old resident of Ukhrul district, from inside the vehicle. An investigation has been launched to identify those involved in the smuggling network.
Officials estimated the value of the seized narcotics at more than Rs 3 crore in the illegal market. Preliminary findings indicate that the consignment was smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar through the porous Indo-Myanmar border. Myanmar, particularly its Kachin and Shan regions, is known as one of the world's leading opium-producing areas.
The seizure is part of a series of recent operations targeting cross-border drug trafficking networks that have been active in Manipur.
Security agencies have intensified anti-insurgency operations across the state, conducting regular search missions and area domination exercises in sensitive, mixed-population and border areas. To strengthen surveillance, authorities have established 111 checkpoints across both the valley and hill districts to monitor the movement of militants, anti-social elements and suspicious vehicles.
Security forces are also providing armed escorts to trucks and other vehicles transporting essential supplies along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), ensuring safe passage through vulnerable stretches.
The Manipur Police have appealed to the public to avoid spreading or believing rumours and urged citizens to verify information before sharing it. They also cautioned people against fake videos and misleading posts circulating on social media.