Gun manufacturing unit busted, criminals arrested in Manipur

Imphal, June 9 (EMN): Three personnel of Manipur Rifles (MR) and Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) have been suspended from their services for their involvement in ‘stealing’ ammunition from the state DGP pool arms kote.

The suspended personnel are Simon Gurung (31), a rifleman of 4th IRB, Fimrothang Hmar, rifleman of 1st IRB and Asem Boiton Singh, rifleman of 1st MR.

Disclosing this to media here this evening, DGP Manipur LM Khaute said a departmental inquiry has been ordered and investigation is going on. Narrating the story, he said a combined team of Bishnupur district police and 25 Assam Rifles arrested three persons including Simon Gurung while checking a car at Kangvai area, Imphal-Churachandpur road. The team recovered 2780 rounds of 7.62×39 mm ball CTN (AK rifles ammunition) from their possession on May 30 2017.

A case has been registered at Moirang police station and investigation is going on, the state police chief added.

The other two persons are Khaiginlal Haokip (34) and Jangkhohao Khongsai (40) both from Churachandpur district. Haokip is said to be a cadre of the armed group Kuki Liberation Army.

From their disclosure, Fimrothang Hmar and Asem Boiton Singh both riflemen in state force were arrested and remanded in police custody till June 9 and June 16 respectively.

“It is also ascertained that the ammunition was supplied by Rifleman Boiton after stealing from the DGP pool Arms Kote where he was posted,” he added. Regular case has been registered against him for necessary steps at Imphal police station.

In another incident, a ‘gun manufacturing unit’ was busted and seized various related items. The team arrested one Yangkholet Haokip who runs the ‘unit’ on June 8 at his Langol Game Village Zone-1 residence.