Imphal: A militant leader reportedly the self-styled external affairs secretary of Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) and his five associates were arrested with an arm and ammunitions in Manipur.
Police said that Alan Hmar (29), reportedly the external affairs secretary of HPC-D was arrested by a combined team of Manipur police and 31 Assam Rifles during an operation at Rengkai area along Churachandpur-Sugnu Road in Churachandpur district on Wednesday evening. Others cadres arrested along with the top functionary of the armed group were Sanga Hmar @ Ramhlunsang (40) of Senvon of Pherzawl district, Samuel Hmar (21) of Rengkai, David Lalenglien (32) of Muolvaiphei, Lalramthar(35) of Saikot and Nehemiah Lalringum(33) of Muolvaiphei, according to police.
One 9 mm pistol (SIG SAUERP3 20SP) made in the USA, two magazines cartridges loaded with 12 live rounds and seven live rounds each were recovered from the possession of the external affairs secretary, the police also said.
HPC-D is one of non-SoO (suspension of operation) armed groups actively operating in Churachandpur district, police further said. They also said that based on information regarding the movement of the top functionary of the outfit, the combined security force team rushed to Renkai area. The police also have reports of armed cadres firing many rounds of guns in Saikot and Moulvaiphei areas on the previous day, causing panic to the public of the area. During the operation, the security force team intercepted two vehicles at Rengkai Bridge yesterday, around 5.25 pm. Upon checking the vehicles, the combined force recovered the arm and ammunition.
Based on the disclosure made by the external affairs secretary of HPC-D, the police came to know that the recovered arm was purchased from Moreh, the border town of Manipur at Indo-Myanmar border, police added.
The arrested external affairs secretary of HPC-D and his associates were handed over to Churachandpur police station where a regular case was lodged against them, the police further said.
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