Imphal, January 17: The Army today displayed a huge cache of arms and ammunition besides other materials reportedly recovered from a busted hideout of the proscribed People�s Liberation Army (PLA) during counter insurgency operation at Theigotang area of Singhat sub-division in Churachandpur district on January 15.The recovery made during a joint operation launched by personnel of 9 Rajput and 13 JAK Rifles included 68 rifles of AK series, four carbines, one lethode and a mortar.

Electronic items like wireless sets, television, battery, camouflage uniform, foreign currency (Myanmar), rafting equipments including paddles and rubber boats and several number of photographs were also displayed on the occasion.

Correspondents of national electronic media based at Guwahati were specially flown in on a helicopter for the arms seizure exhibition displayed at the Leimakhong headquarters of 57 Mountain Division.

Briefing the media persons, GOC of the Division Major general GG Dwivedi describing the raid as part of the ongoing Counter Insurgency Operations in Chandel and Churachandpur districts said the haul is �just a drop in the ocean� as several such arms are still to be seized.

He also observed that the recovered arms and ammunition is sufficient to equip a fighting sub-unit of an army and pointed to the media-persons of the magnitude of the threat posed by the militants who possess such weapons.

Estimating the strength of militants to be several thousands, Dwivedi further informed that the underground outfits have acquired sophisticated assault rifles such as AK-47/56, M-16/21, sniper rifles, General Purpose Machine Guns, lethode grenade launchers, anti-tank rocket launchers, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and even anti-aircraft guns.

The underground groups have well established training camps across the international border and in the interiors of hill district particularly in Chandel and CCpur districts, maintained the GOC and added that these militants are well trained in guerilla tactics like sniping, stand-off attacks, use of booby traps and IEDs.

Highlighting that due to withdrawal of the Army from Manipur, underground outfits had set up camps at Chandel and Churachandpur districts even going to the extent of declaring these areas as �liberated� zones, the Army officer contended and added that following the State Government's request the Army has been redeployed in south Manipur since last year.

Since induction, the Army has carried massive CI Ops, which have been people friendly, but nevertheless resulted in destroying well established camps of the UNLF in Sehlon and Vamsengdung, camps belonging to the PLA in Khongtal, Khongkhai and Theigothang and KYKL camp in Siallutak area, claimed the GOC who detailed the casualties suffered by the militants as 126 killed, 459 apprehended and over 250 weapons seized.

He claimed that some semblance of normalcy has been restored and civil administration activated specially in remote areas of Chakpikarong and Thinghat due to sustained operations conducted by the security forces.

Observing that Manipur is in the grip of intense insurgency requiring effective tackling of the situation, the Major General affirmed of prolonging Army operations till peace and normalcy returns to the Sate.

On allegations of Army presence and consequent operations severely crippling normal life in remote areas, Dwivedi brushed aside the charge saying Army personnel have been providing assistance to the villagers through regular conduct of medical camps and provision of ration.

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