Imphal: In a significant development, Manipur Police have apprehended six individuals linked to the looting of arms from the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp in Chingarel, located in Manipur’s Imphal East district. The incident, which occurred on the night of February 13, 2024, involved the theft of four Insas rifles, an AK Ghatak, two SLR magazines, and 16 small boxes of 9mm ammunition from the 5th IRB camp.
The police, commenting on the arrests, stated, “In connection with the arms looting case at the 5th IRB camp in Chingarel, Imphal East, six individuals were apprehended on February 14, 2024, and have been remanded into police custody by a judicial magistrate. Additionally, we have successfully recovered four Insas Rifles, one AK Ghatak, two SLR magazines, and 16 small boxes of 9mm ammunition suspected to have been looted from the 5th IRB.”
However, the authorities did not disclose the specific location where the arms were recovered or provide details regarding the arrest locations. The incident unfolded when an unruly mob forcibly entered the 5th IRB camp at Chingarel, making off with the arms and ammunition. In the aftermath, a large group of “village volunteers” attempted to breach the Manipur Police Training College at Pangei in Imphal East, approximately 5 km away from Chingarel.
To contain the escalating situation, security forces deployed legal force to repel the violent mobs, including armed miscreants, attempting to breach the Manipur Police Training College. Tragically, during the confrontation, one person succumbed to injuries, while three others sustained injuries.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order and safeguarding critical facilities. Investigations are ongoing, and the apprehension of the six individuals marks a crucial step in addressing the aftermath of the arms looting incident at the 5th IRB camp in Manipur. Manipur has been in the grasp of violence since May 2023. Several thousand arms and ammunition were looted by miscreants in the past during the pick of the violence. Security forces have recovered a few thousand looted arms and ammunition, but still, a sizable number of arms are in the hands of miscreants in the state. Top security officials indicate that incidents of Scattered incidents will continue until all the looted weapons are not seized.
