Manipur Police said a column of the Army’s Mahar Regiment had intercepted and detained the armed miscreants dressed in police fatigues.
A large group of women-led protesters confronted the Indian Army and forcefully released 11 miscreants after they were detained with arms and ammunition in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Tuesday, police said.
In a statement, the Manipur Police said, during patrolling, a column of the Mahar Regiment of the Indian Army intercepted and detained the armed miscreants dressed in police fatigues. News agency PTI, citing unnamed officials, reported that the army was patrolling in the Kumbi area when they intercepted two SUVs.
“On seeing the Army personnel, the occupants of the two vehicles fled, leaving behind their arms,” PTI quoted an official as saying.
The Manipur Police said the soldiers of the Mahar Regiment seized three AK rifles (7 magazines and 210 ammunition), five INSAS (13 magazines and 260 ammunition), two SLR (9 magazines and 180 ammunition, two hand grenades and bulletproof jackets and other items from the miscreants’ possession and took them into their custody.
However, a while later, ‘Meira Paibis’ – a civilian group of Meitei women – gathered at the spot and demanded that the weapons be handed over to them.
“A group of womenfolk started gathering and blocked the road so as to prevent the movement of security forces. On being informed by the Army about the developing situation, District Police rushed to the spot. On reaching, it was informed by the army personnel that the 11 persons have been snatched by the womenfolk during aggressive confrontation with them despite their best efforts,” the Manipur Police said in the statement issued on social media platform X (formally Twitter).
“Displaying dogged determination and intent, teams of both Manipur Police and the Indian Army were successful in breaking through a number of obstacles/ barriers created by hostile sympathizers and reach out to the the teams at Kumbi PS. The recovered weapons and ammunitions were kept in safe custody. The mob was later dispersed and the situation was brought under control. Necessary legal action is being taken up,” it added.