Police strike it rich with huge cache of arms, ammos; 3 held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 19 2009: In continued operation being launched in ArongNongmaikhong and Sekmaijin area since the morning of August 14, combined force of Imphal West District Police Commandos and personnel of 12 Maratha Light Infantry have reportedly arrested one self styled sergeant of PLA and two sympathisers besides recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

Displaying the seized arms and ammunition, during a press conference at the headquarters of Imphal West District Police here late in the evening today, Senior SP of the district, L Kailun, informed that in all two PLA cadres have been arrested and seven AK Rifles and one sten carbine seized so far.

Cops stand tall with the seized weapons

SPs of Thoubal and Bishnupur districts have also despatched their police commandos to help in the operation, the SSP said.

He further informed that at around 5 am today, the combined force arrested one self styled sergeant of PLA from the Thongju Pechu Lampak residence of Thongju Gram Panchayat member Ningthoujam Ongbi Mani Devi (43) w/o Kullabidhu.

At the instance of the arrested S/S PLA sergeant, identified as Sagolsem Bobby alias Roger alias Thoi alias Ahingba (26) s/o Yaima of Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AR-56 Rifles, six magazines, 32 ammunition, one lethode gun, 14 lethode bombs and three Chinese hand grenade with detonators were recovered from the residential compound of one Athokpam Tomba (40) s/o Mohori of Yairipok Tera Urak, the SSP added.

On interrogation, Bobby disclosed that he joined PLA in 2000 and after undergoing training at Sajik Tampak, has been working in the Auxillary group of the armed outfit, the SSP informed, adding that Salam Dewan (35) s/o of Iboyaima of Nongmaikhong Mayai Leikai and his wife Salam Ongbi Memocha Devi (34), who are sympathisers, have also been arrested from Phoubakchao Litan Makhong today at the instance of Bobby.

Following the interrogation of the arrested couple, the SSP informed, 680 ammunition of 7.62 weapon, 340 ammunition of AK, 25 lethode bombs, one Chinese hand grenade, one I-Com hand hold set (with charger), two pipe bombs, 6 circuit wire bundles, five packets of nitrate salt (100 grams), one cadmium battery, nine electronic detonators, one 27-Detonator and two kgs of explosive materials which were kept concealed around the house have been recovered.

He further conveyed that the couple have admitted that they have been establishing contact with PLA through phone for the last 5 to 6 years and helping in concealing arms and ammunition apart from providing shelter.

It may be recalled here that a self styled sergeant major of PLA identified as Selheibam Joy alias Jayanta (31) of Andro Uchol Awang Leikai and another PLA cadre identified as Oinam Lukhoi Yumnam Huidrom Khunyai Leikai but staying at Keishampat Mutum Leirak have been arrested along with nine ammunition of AK Rifles by the combined force on the first day of the operation on August 14 .

During the press conference which was also attended by CO of 12 Maratha Light Infantry Col Amardeep, SSP announced that the operation concluded today.