2 NSCN (K) cadres involved in arms snatching arrested

Imphal, September 2 (NNN): Two NSCN (K) cadres involved in weapon snatching a few days ago in Tamenglong district were apprehended on the night of September 1 at Sibilong village in Tamenglong district, the PIB Defence Wing has claimed.  

The arrests were made during a joint operation by the Tamenglong Assam Rifles Battalion of Senapati Brigade and Manipur Police from Tamenglong district. The two – identified as Kabigai and Numkhaolung, both residents of Sibilong – were involved in the snatching of weapons of 5 IRB Battalion on August 29, according to the PIB Defence Wing.   The IRB police personnel were threatened at gunpoint near Kambiron on NH 37, by five insurgents led by Gaisunlung of NSCN (K).   "Gaisunlung was apprehended in 2015 and subsequently released on bail. Emboldened by his quick release, he continues to carry out anti-national and nefarious activities on behalf of the banned NSCN (K) group in Tamenglong area," the PIB Defence stated, arguing that the cadre had challenged the authority of the state police force with his brazen act of taking weapons from police personnel at gunpoint.   According to the PIB, a massive combing operation was launched by Assam Rifles, Army and Manipur Police from August 29 evening in the dense jungles of Sibilong and Chingkhonglong. The abandoned Maruti Gypsy, which was used by the group to flee, was recovered on August 30 by security forces two km north of Sibilong.   “On apprehending the suspected cadres from Sibilong, the security personnel faced stiff resistance from approximately 100 villagers, mainly women folk, who tried to prevent the arrest of the two individuals. Despite the women throwing stones and wielding dahs and sticks, the security personnel showed considerable restraint and apprehended the insurgents from the village,” the PIB Defence claimed.   According to the PIB Defence, a few security personnel were injured and some army vehicles were damaged due to the unprovoked violent action by the local crowd.   The insurgents have been handed over to the police for further investigation.