Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Security forces destroyed seven bunkers set up by anti-social elements belonging to Naga and Kuki groups in Manipur’s sensitive Ukhrul district and recovered a large quantity of arms, ammunition, and explosives during operations in Imphal East district on Saturday.
According to official reports on Sunday, anti-insurgency operations at the Chingkhei Ching foothills and Mongjam village in Imphal East district led to the recovery of a cache of weapons.
The recovered items included a 9 mm pistol with a magazine, a 12-bore single-barrel gun, seven bulletproof (BP) jackets, eight BP iron plates, four helmets, a BAOFENG wireless set, two chargers, and 72 live rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
During combing operations in the Lunghat hill range and Sinakeithei areas of Ukhrul district, seven bunkers allegedly used by armed Naga and Kuki groups for territorial positioning were dismantled.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, in a statement alleged that Sinakeithei village was attacked from the Lungthar hill range, where heavily armed Kuki militants are positioned, unleashing heavy gunfire.
The UNC strongly objected to what it termed “selective protection and biased enforcement” by government agencies, citing the destruction of Naga village guard bunkers and shelter sheds, and alleged intimidation of villagers in Shokvao, Sharkaphung, Leingangching (Laho), New Heaven, Ringui, and Sirarakong.