Caches of arms recovered in Manipur, six militants held
Imphal (PTI): Security forces recovered caches of arms and ammunition from Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts of Manipur, police said on Sunday.
Six militants belonging to various proscribed outfits were also arrested in separate operations for their alleged involvement in extortion and other illegal activities in four districts of the northeastern state.
One Heckler & Koch rifle with magazine, two bolt action rifles, two pull mechanism rifles, two improvised mortars and two hand grenades were recovered at Kotzim in Kangpokpi district on Saturday.
Security Forces also found one sub-machine gun, one .303 rifle, one 9mm pistol, one .32 pistol, seven locally made bolt action rifles, ammunition, and other warlike stores at Kanglatombi area in Imphal West district.
In separate operations, security forces arrested six militants in Imphal East and West, Bishnupur and Kakching districts.
The police arrested a Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) cadre from his residence at Laipham Khunou in Imphal East district on Saturday. He was allegedly involved in extortion from hospitals and public in the valley area.
Another PWG militant, who was picked up from Porompat area in Imphal East district, was involved in extortion from the public including government officials.
The police arrested two cadres of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai area in Imphal West district.
They were accused of being involved in extortion from the public in the valley area and mediation through intimidation between parties in cases of loan recovery.
A handgun, along with a magazine, and Rs 1,26,900 in cash were recovered from their possession.
Another cadre of the same outfit was arrested from his residential locality at Hiyanglam Makha Leikai in Kakching district. He was involved in recruiting youths for the PLA.
One more PLA cadre was arrested in Ithai Wapokpi in Bishnupur district.
Ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities have left at least 260 people dead and thousands homeless since May 2023 in Manipur, where President’s Rule was imposed in February this year.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
