Imphal: Security forces arrested seven people for allegedly possessing illegal firearms in Manipur's hill and valley districts, police said on Thursday.
During an operation based on specific input, security forces apprehended four residents of Sikibung Village in Ukhrul district on Tuesday, a police statement said.
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They were arrested during the operation conducted to nab the perpetrators of the July 6 ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy, which killed two of its personnel in the district.
Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed when suspected militants fired at the convoy at Shangshak near Nungshang Khong, about 17 km from the Ukhrul district headquarters, and three persons were detained in connection with it.
"Two SBBL guns, live SBBL cartridges and a wireless communication set were seized from the possession of the four arrested people," the police said.
Security forces also apprehended an active cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party-MC (Progressive) on Wednesday from Khurai Ahongei in Imphal East district on charges of illegal firearm possession.
Two persons, hailing from Khurai Lairikyengbam in Imphal East district, were arrested on Wednesday from their locality, the police said.
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One pistol along with two magazines and 11 live rounds of bullets were recovered from their possession, the statement added.
Security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable localities across Manipur since ethnic violence broke out three years ago.
More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.
