Manipur Police arrested four individuals for allegedly transporting arms and ammunition illegally and seized a large cache of weapons, explosives, and other warlike stores from their possession.

The arrests were made during an operation on Sunday, police said. The accused were identified as Rajkumar Sidharth alias Momo (33) of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, Imphal West; Laishram Rameshor Meitei (44) of Lairikyengbam Leikai Salan Leirak, Imphal East; Athokpam Brojendro Singh alias Mukil (45) of Top Awang Leikai, Imphal East; and Laishram Sachikanta Singh alias Naothing (25) of Top Awang Leikai, Imphal East.

All four are reported to be members of a Keishal Village Volunteer Organization, a group of village defence volunteers, and were allegedly engaged in transporting arms for unlawful purposes.

The recoveries included AK, Ghatak, and INSAS rifles, several 7.62mm SLRs, .303 rifles including a modified one fitted with a scope, 9mm carbines, and a defective pistol. Police also seized more than a thousand rounds of live ammunition of different calibres, empty cases, barrel cartridges, and several magazines. Explosives such as a No. 36 HE grenade, a Chinese grenade, a WP grenade with detonators, and tube launchers were also found.

Authorities said further investigation is underway to trace the source of the weapons and the network involved in transporting them.