Forces recover arms cache in Manipur amid shutdown call

Guwahati: Security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Manipur, a defence spokesperson said on Tuesday, as the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) announced a total shutdown on September 28.
The ITLF stated in a public notice that an emergency meeting was held, during which several measures were resolved to defend against potential ‘attacks’.These resolutions include restrictions on travel outside the Kuki-Zo area from September 26 to 29 and the closure of ‘borders’ during this period.
The public notice also announced that schools, institutions, and offices would be closed from September 27 to 29, with a total shutdown on September 28, excluding emergency services such as medical, fire, water, and media. It called for village volunteers and citizens to be on high alert and urged medical teams and ambulances to be on standby. “Manipur govt had accumulated highly advanced MMG MK 2A1 weapons earlier this month. Recently, Kuldiep Singh, the state security advisor, hinted at an impending attack on September 28. The Arambai Tenggol leader, Kourounganba Khuman, expressed his excitement for September 28, in a social media post. These are indicators that an attack plan is being intended towards the Kuki-Zo. Previously, an assault on Kuki-Zo occurred shortly after the Manipur govt announced the presence of 200 Kuki militants in Jiribam. The 900 armed men from Myanmar who are supposedly moving must be a ruse for attacking the Kuki-Zo,” ITLF alleged.
Meanwhile, the PRO and spokesperson for the ministry of defence of Manipur, Nagaland, and southern Arunachal Pradesh said a joint operation was launched based on specific information in Bungjang village, located in the fringe areas of Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts of Manipur. The Army led the operation, along with the BSF and Manipur Police, busting an arms cache being used by miscreants.
“The operation led to the busting of an arms cache, being used by miscreants, and recovered one sniper rifle, one heavy calibre launcher, one pistol, one single barrel gun, ammunition, and multiple war-like stores. The captured arms and war-like stores have been handed over to Manipur Police for further investigation and disposal,” the spokesperson said.