Naga militants snatched away two AK 47 rifles and two INSAS rifles with loaded magazines from an escort party of Manipur Rifles when its personnel went into a hotel for a meal in Tamenglong district, police said today.
The incident took place yesterday evening at Sibilong village on NH 37 in Manipur's Tamenglong District, the police said.
Armed Naga militants overpowered the Manipur Rifles personnel inside the hotel and snatched away their arms and ammunition at gunpoint after taking them to a nearby jungle.
The Manipur Rifles personnel were escorting Food Corporation of India trucks loaded with food items, the police said.
Following this, Rifles reinforcements were rushed on the spot to nab the militants. Search operations were launched but none was so far apprehended.
Meanwhile, security measures have been beefed up along Imphal-Jiribam NH 37 in view of the proposed visit of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju tomorrow at Nungkao village in Manipur's Tamenglong district to attend a programme on freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu, police added.
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Banned militant outfit NSCN-K has meanwhile claimed responsibility for the snatching of arms and ammunition from the Manipur Rifles yesterday.
A statement by the outfit, which abrogated the ceasefire agreement with the government, said the arms were snatched by its Elite Strike unit and the arms, including four assault rifles with ammunition were looted by them.
