Manipur Police arrested three in the Sunulok Hill killings, seized 12 firearms and explosives, detained 17 at Sinai Camp and arrested two in the Sangaiyumpham case.
Imphal, Oct. 20: Manipur Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the killing of three people and injuries to three others at Sunulok Hill, while security forces have seized 12 firearms, more than 1,095 rounds of ammunition and explosives during search operations in areas under Sagolmang Police Station.
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo announced the arrests and recoveries during a press conference on Tuesday. He said two of the three arrested individuals had, during preliminary investigation, admitted to being part of the assault team involved in the Sunulok Hill attack.
The role of the third arrested individual is being investigated, while police are working to identify other people allegedly involved in the incident.
Three arrested in Sunulok Hill case
According to Lhatoo, intensive search operations and intelligence-based operations were launched by joint teams of Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and CoBRA from late Monday evening in the general area of S Phailenkot and neighbouring villages under Sagolmang police station.
The operations led to the arrest of three individuals. Police said the investigation is continuing to establish the involvement of the accused and identify others connected with the attack.
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The firearms recovered during the operation included one INSAS rifle, one M16 rifle, one rifle described as an A1 rifle, one AK-47-type rifle, one Type 81 rifle, one 7.62 mm sniper rifle and one Heckler & Koch 5.56 mm rifle. Three 12-bore single-barrel guns, one lethod gun and one handmade rocket launcher were also seized.
Police said 1,095 live rounds of ammunition of various calibres, along with explosives, were recovered based on disclosures made by the accused.
The explosive materials and related items included TNT slabs, PEK explosive, gunpowder, lethod shells, Pompi bombs, M61 rifle grenades, a Chinese hand grenade, handmade mortars and three detonators. Other items seized included radio sets with batteries, helmets, uniforms, a monocular and poppy plant seeds.
Seventeen detained at Sinai Camp
In a separate operation launched at around 4 am on Tuesday, joint teams of Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles and the Army began search operations in the area surrounding Sinai Camp, a designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp.
Lhatoo said security personnel were conducting a thorough search of the camp as the operation continued.
Seventeen individuals were detained after their identities reportedly did not match the listed cadres of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) associated with the camp.
Police said the identities of the detained individuals were being verified and a detailed investigation was underway.
The ADGP also disclosed that ammunition and magazines were found to be missing from the camp. Authorities were verifying the missing items against the weapons seized during the operations.
Senior officers of Manipur Police, BSF and CRPF conducted helicopter surveillance over areas where the operations were underway on Tuesday morning, Lhatoo said.
Director General of Police Mukesh Singh also visited the site of the Sunulok Hill incident and coordinated the ongoing operations.
Two arrested in Khangabok–Sangaiyumpham case
Providing an update on the violence in Khangabok–Sangaiyumpham area, Lhatoo said joint teams of Thoubal Police, CoBRA, the Rapid Action Force (RAF), CRPF and Assam Rifles launched a combing operation in the general area of Sangaiyumpham Cherapur at around 4 am on Tuesday.
During the operation, security personnel searched around 146 houses and verified the identities of more than 300 individuals.
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Four suspects were detained, of whom two were subsequently formally arrested in connection with the case, the ADGP said. One double-barrel gun was also seized and sent for forensic examination as part of the investigation.
Police did not disclose further details about the identities of the arrested individuals or the specific roles they allegedly played in the case.
Police appeal for calm, warn against rumours
Lhatoo appealed to the public to remain calm and allow police and security forces to carry out their investigations. He urged people not to take the law into their own hands.
He also cautioned against believing or circulating unverified information, rumours or provocative content on social media, warning that such material could aggravate the situation.
The ADGP said individuals found posting or circulating false information would face legal action under relevant provisions of the law.
Manipur Police urged residents to cooperate with security personnel, maintain peace and report suspicious activities or information to the nearest police station or the central control room.
The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state as investigations and search operations continued.
