On Tuesday, authorities in the Bishnupur district of Manipur apprehended four individuals in possession of a significant arsenal of weapons, marking a crucial development in the regions ongoing security challenges. The seized items included three SLR rifles, four empty magazines, 20 live rounds, seven mobile phones, a Baofeng walkie-talkie set, two cars, bags, and various other items, as confirmed by police sources.The arrested suspects were identified as Salam Rameshwor Singh, 48, Tongbram Gyanjit Singh alias Chinglensana, 39, Pukhrem Ingocha Singh, 40 and Thokchom Temba alias Wakheiba, 50. Notably, Pukhrem and Wakheiba had affiliations with a faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), one of the oldest armed insurgent groups operating in the valley.A case has been officially registered by the Manipur Police, signaling the initiation of a thorough investigation into the matter to unravel further details surrounding the arms cache and the individuals involved.These arrests occur within the context of escalating violence and lawlessness that have plagued Manipur for more than ten months. What commenced as an ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and the Kukis has evolved into a multifaceted crisis, marked by loss of life, mass displacement, and a pervasive sense of insecurity across the region.
