Weapons from Myanmar: Smuggling Racket Busted in Manipur; 4 was conducted as an investigation. Bharat News
Security forces in Manipur have initiated an rapid investigation into an international arms smuggling racket after the arrest of a senior leader of the valley-based rebel group. The operation exposed a broad network suspected of smuggling arms from Myanmar and distributed them across India using fake documents and registered gun houses.The case came to light at the end of June when the Manipur police arrested four persons, including Sinam Somendro Miti, also known as ‘Richard’, who was a self-proclaimed lieutenant colonel and prosecution outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P) Project Secretary.Police sources say Richard’s arrest indicates harassing discrepancies in the UnLF-P engagement with the peace process. Despite signing a ceasefire agreement with the state government in November 2023, the group still has to surrender arms or provide a list of active members as required. Authorities have also accused some cadres of forcibly recovery and continuing other criminal activities under the guise of a trus.The current investigation began after obtaining specific intelligence on 24 June, indicating the presence of gun -run syndicate in Imphal. This led to detained Nongathomam gun house owner Lanchenba Nongthombam, who allegedly sold arms without a reasonable record. His confession inspired the police for Richard.According to officials, the UNLF-P Cadres were smuggling foreign-made weapons from Myanmar through the Porus border and selling them across India. The mark has already reached Punjab, where such a case has been identified, and investigation is going on in other states. Such activities form a serious offense under the ARMS Act, especially Section 10, which restrictions the import of foreign weapons under special permissions for players.Four American-made pistols, an Austrian revolver, an Indian pistol, dozens of foreign-calibre bullets, a wireless set and high-end mobile phones were found at Richard’s residence.Richard, police say, there is a criminal record for about three decades. He was first arrested in 1995 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), followed by arrests for similar crimes in 2005 and 2006. In 2003, he was allegedly involved in transferring rebels between Guwahati and Bangladesh and dealing with illegal financial transactions in foreign currencies.Following his recent arrest, Richard tried to cite his group’s ceasefire agreement to allegedly avoid legal action. However, the police dismissed the claim, given the severity of the alleged weapons network and its possible national implications.UNLF-P, led by KH Pambi, formed history as the first MIITEI rebel group in the Imphal Valley to agree to a ceasefire last year. However, security officials had expressed initial doubts, warning that the step could be strategic, which was aimed at avoiding increasing pressure from law enforcement.UNLF’s request to set up camps near cookie-cruel areas faced strong opposition from security agencies, who feared that it could rule ethnic tensions that had already claimed more than 200 lives.Despite the intention of ceasefire to curb violence, several 2024 incidents suggest that UNLF-P the operators are active, even allegedly seizing weapons from security forces.
