Firearm, ammunition seized in Manipur, one held

Security forces arrested a person from Manipurs Churachandpur district after a firearm and ammunition were seized from his possession, police said on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles said patrolling by security forces near the international border with Myanmar ensured peace and security after armed militants attacked three Naga villages in Manipurs Kamjong district on Thursday.

Security forces arrested a person from Manipur's Churachandpur district after a firearm and ammunition were seized from his possession, police said on Saturday. The person, who is a resident of Churachandpur but an ''active cadre of Kuki National Army (Burma)'' was apprehended from Zou Veng area on Friday, a senior officer said. One 9 mm pistol, one magazine and seven live rounds of bullets were recovered from his possession, he said. Former chief minister N Biren Singh said the arrest of armed KNA(B) cadre in Churachandpur is a ''serious matter that cannot be ignored''. In a post on X, he said Manipur would not tolerate unlawful activities. ''The recovery of sophisticated weapons and evidence of unlawful armed activity confirms the growing threat posed by foreign-linked militant elements operating along our borders,'' Singh said. Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles said patrolling by security forces near the international border with Myanmar ensured peace and security after armed militants attacked three Naga villages in Manipur's Kamjong district on Thursday. Armed militants burnt several houses at Namlee, Wanglee and Choro villages, located less than 1 km from the international border. ''Despite the volatile situation, troops of the Assam Rifles responded proactively and moved into the affected area under challenging conditions to safeguard people. Fifteen villagers, including women and children, were safely evacuated and provided humanitarian assistance,'' the paramilitary force said. One armed man was apprehended with an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during search operations, it said.