The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Manipur, has strongly refuted the claims made by the Manipur Police regarding the seizure of arms from its Central Committee Member (CCM) Sinam Pankhei, alias Somendro, Thangmeiband, as “fabricated and unfounded,” accusing him of being an “arms smuggler.”
The outfit also alleged that the accusations are part of a larger attempt to malign the image of the organisation amid ongoing peace efforts, according to a press statement issued by Charairongba Thokchom, Director, Department of Publicity and Education (DOPE).
It also said that the small arms seized yesterday are the ones approved by the Peace Monitoring Committee (PMC), formed as part of the signed peace agreement between the UNLF and the Government of India and the Government of Manipur, according to the ground rules. The four small arms — (i) Smith & Wesson 9mm Pistol, (ii) Smith & Wesson 9mm Pistol, (iii) Sig Sauer 9mm Pistol, and (iv) Glock 19 Pistol — were all issued to the Personal Security Officer of the CCM.
Two other arms, namely the licensed (v) JD Taurus Pistol 7.65mm and (vi) Falcon Cal 7.62mm, and three other arms in the seizure list are those preparing to be included in the Armory list, namely (vii) Keltec Pistol .32mm, (viii) Beretta Pistol, and (ix) FN Browning Pistol. Last but importantly, one M-20 Falcon Pistol was not related to him, nor seized from the CCM, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the statement also said that the three individuals arrested, as per claims made by Manipur Police on the same day from Babupura, are not related to the outfit. None of the three persons identified as (i) Konthoujam Opendro, alias Ibomcha, (ii) Tokpam Tomcha, and (iii) Keithellakpam Saratchandra are in any way related to the outfit.
The outfit also informed that Md. Islam Khan, alias Atappa, from Hayellabuk Mayai Leikai, who is said to have been arrested in the Lilong Hangamtabi area, is also not related to the outfit in any manner and is using the outfit’s name to malign the party’s image and mislead the public.
The UNLF warned against misleading narratives and urged authorities not to jeopardize the fragile peace talks.
