Arms recovered from the NSCN (IM) camp in Manipur. Image credit: Twitter

The Army busted an undesignated hideout of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) at Kekru Naga village in Manipur following its cadres were found extorting from people at a village.

“An undesignated and unauthorised hideout of NSCN (IM) was busted on July 6 by the Army troops at Kekru Naga village in Manipur. Based on a specific input regarding NSCN (IM) cadres camping in Kekru Naga and carrying out illegal extortion, a well-coordinated operation was launched on the night of July 5,” the Army said in a statement.

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“However, seeing the troops advancing toward their camp, the cadres fled leaving huge amount of arms, ammunition, uniform and other war-like stores,” the Army said.

A member of the NSCN (IM) was detained after he was found trying to hide among people in plainclothes, the Army said.

An American-origin M16 assault rifle with 125 rounds, one self-loading rifle with 26 rounds and some AK series assault rifles, apart from other “warlike stores” were seized by Army from the hideout.

The Army said it is working closely with the police, intelligence agencies, civil administration and the locals to identify “unauthorised hideouts” of the NSCN (IM).

“Immediate action is being taken to identify and dismantle such undesignated NSCN (IM) camps in Manipur and to stop atrocities as well as illegal activities of these cadres,” said the Army.

In the last couple of months, at least four camps of the group were targeted by the security forces.

“Operations to identify and dismantle such undesignated NSCN (IM) camps are underway,” said an Army official.