By Admin 
Security agencies in manipur: Security agencies in Manipur have intensified the investigation against the arms smuggling gang from Myanmar after the arrest of a senior leader of the Equarius Group (VBIG) in Imphal Valley, as it is likely to have a nationwide impact.
The investigation mainly focuses on the campaign being run by some members of the banned organizations with alleged guns, receiving weapons from Myanmar and allegedly distributed them throughout India with the help of fake documents and registered gun store.
Manipur police arrested four people in the case
The case was exposed by the Manipur police in the last week of June and as a result four people were arrested. The arrested accused included the banned militant organization United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P) self-proclaimed Lieutenant Colonel and Project Secretary Sinum Somndra Meeti alias Richard.
Richard’s arrest exposes a worrying aspect of the current participation in the peace processes of the UNLF-P. However, the organization announced a ceasefire in November 2023 and signed an agreement with the Manipur government, but since then it has been accused of delaying the surrender negotiations.
Action started after getting intelligence information
Officials said that according to the group ceasefire agreement, the group has failed to deposit its weapons or provide a list of its members. He alleged that some members of the group have been involved in forcible recovery and other anti -social activities. Action in the current case began on 24 June after receiving specific intelligence about arms smuggling-Bichaulia gang in Imphal area.
Smuggling of foreign weapons from Myanmar-India open border
Officials said, “After the revelation of the arms smuggling middleman gang, the owner of the Nongthombam gun house, Lanchenba Nongthombam, was detained, which was found selling firearms without proper documents and reached the police Richard on the basis of information received from it.”
He said, “Foreign-made weapons were smuggled by some members of the alleged UNLF-P to India through an open border from Myanmar and then they were sold across the country using fake documents.
Officials said that one such case has already been revealed in Punjab and investigation is going on to find out the sale of these foreign weapons in other parts of the country. It is a serious offense under the Arms Act. There is a ban on import of foreign weapons in India under Section 10 of the Arms Act, except in the case of players and that too after prior approval.
Police raided Richard’s house
Police recovered four US-made revolvers and pistols, an Austrian-made revolver, an Indian pistol, several rounds of ammunition for foreign weapons, several rounds of ammunition for foreign weapons, a wireless set and high-level mobile phones during a raid at Richard’s residence.
Police said Richard’s criminal history is two decades old and was first arrested in 1995 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Meghalaya Police arrested Richard in 2006
He said that he was arrested in 2005 and 2006 on charges of extortion and violation of UAPA. In September 2006, he was also arrested by the Meghalaya Police in Shillong.
According to the police, Richard was allegedly involved in the introduction of militants between Guwahati and Bangladesh and illegal financial transactions in July 2003, including converting currency into taka and dollars.
Officials said, “After the arrest, Richard tried to take advantage of the alleged UnLF-P affiliation and the ongoing ceasefire talks with him. However, police officers are not paying any attention to it, as he suspects to join the arms smuggling gang, which may have national consequences.”
Under the leadership of Kh Pambei, the UNLF-P created history in 2023, when it formed the first Manipuri armed group in the Imphal Valley, signing the ceasefire agreement with the government and resolved to give up violence. The security officials, however, warned at the time that it could be made by the group to avoid the increasing pressure of police and other security agencies, as many of its workers are allegedly involved in extortion and other activities.
More than 200 people lost their lives in ethnic conflict in Manipur
The demand for the UNLF to set up camps near the cookie populous areas faced resistance from the security agencies, as they were feared to have increased ethnic conflicts. So far more than 200 people have died due to ethnic conflict in the state.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, some incidents in 2024 indicated that UNLF-P members are carrying out violent activities without any punishment and even robbing arms from security forces.
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