Young Man from Manipur Arrested with Ammunition Near India-Nepal Border
A young man from Manipur was arrested near the India-Nepal border with a cartridge, raising concerns over border security.
Kolkata, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : A 20-year-old man from Manipur was apprehended by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) near the India-Nepal border after a cartridge was found in his possession. The incident occurred during a routine check by the SSB’s Border Intelligence Team at the ‘New Bridge,’ which connects Panitanki in West Bengal to Kakadbhitta in Nepal.
The individual, identified as Paogoulun Haokip from Moreh in Tengnoupal district, claimed he discovered the 9mm cartridge near his home and kept it without realizing it was in his bag. Authorities are currently in contact with officials from Manipur to investigate his background.
During the search, Haokip was traveling with his family to Kakadbhitta for his father’s treatment at Mechi Eye Hospital. He stated that he found the cartridge about three months ago and had not intended to carry it across the border.
The cartridge bore the marking ‘9MM 2Z KF 20,’ indicating it was manufactured at an ammunition factory near Pune, Maharashtra. Such restricted ammunition is typically issued to police and security forces.
An SSB official noted the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that if the cartridge had been discovered by Nepalese authorities, Haokip could have faced severe legal repercussions due to strict gun laws in the country.
The official added that while the young man’s story is being taken into consideration, he will still face legal action for possessing the cartridge without proper documentation. Residents are urged to report any found weapons to the police immediately, rather than keeping them.
This incident comes on the heels of a recent arrest of a resident from Sikkim, who attempted to enter Nepal with a licensed .32 caliber pistol and 49 cartridges. Officials reiterated that individuals should never attempt to cross borders with firearms, even if they are legally owned in India, as such weapons must be declared and deposited at customs checkpoints.
Tensions remain high in Manipur, particularly in Moreh, which borders Myanmar and has been a hotspot for militant activities. The region has experienced over three years of intense ethnic violence, claiming more than 300 lives and resulting in significant thefts of arms and ammunition from police arsenals.
