Assam police on alert over Manipur's looted arms and ammunition

Assam Police has alerted officials to lookout for Manipur's looted arms and ammunition, which could make its way into the neighbouring state.

Officials estimate that around 4,000 weapons were snatched from security forces during the ethnic violence in Manipur, which has lingered since May 3.

A senior Assam police officer, who did not want to be named, told ET, "we have alerted all districts to remain vigilant so that arms are not smuggled into Assam and fall in the hands of miscreants or insurgents. During the heights of insurgency in Nagaland, arms made way to Assam. Since Assam has an active insurgent outfit, the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent, we cannot take a chance even now."


According to Manipur government officials, the weapons included Insas rifles, carbines, LMGs, pistols, AK-47s, .303 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition. "A good number of weapons were recovered by security forces. Efforts are on to get back the remaining arms and ammunition. A minister even set up a drop box for deposit of weapons," an official said.

The Manipur government has repeatedly appealed to those who looted the weapons to return the weapons. In the initial days of the violence, the state government even offered amnesty to those who returned the weapons.