IT News
Imphal, Jan 17:
The Delhi Meetei Co-Ordinating Committee (DMCC) has called for a comprehensive investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Mizoram Police into the January 15, 2025, seizure of a massive cache of arms on the outskirts of Saithah village in Mamit District, Mizoram. The arms, recovered by Mizoram Police with support from an intelligence agency, are believed to be part of an illicit trade between militant groups, raising concerns over regional security.
The operation, described by Mizoram Police as “one of the largest arms busts in the state,” led to the arrest of five individuals, including a high-profile leader of the Chin National Front (CNF), a Myanmar-based insurgent group. The seizure included six AK-47 rifles, 10,050 AK cartridges, and 13 magazines.
“This operation is a stern warning to illegal operators and a significant step in counter-insurgency efforts,” Mizoram Police stated, emphasizing the transnational nature of the arms trade. Preliminary investigations suggest the arms were intended for trade between the CNF and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-P), an insurgent group active in Bangladesh.
DMCC highlighted that such arms have been widely used by Kuki-Chin militants during the 20-month conflict in Manipur. It further demanded a thorough investigation into the source and intended use of the seized arms, noting past incidents of similar operations, including the NIA’s 2022 crackdown on explosives trafficking in Mizoram.
The committee also called for acknowledgment and rewards for Mizoram Police and other agencies involved in combating illegal arms trafficking, stressing the importance of securing peace and stability in the region.