The police also recovered one dismantled M-16 rifle, two 9 mm pistols and several rounds from a toilet cistern in Brajabidhu Singh’s residence. All the guns were in varying stages of rust when displayed by the police. Among the arrested cadres, one had come from a Myanmar camp to avail of medical treatment in the state capital, Joykumar added. “The police has had a lot of trouble from the militants in the past, and this raid is part of the state police’s drive against these outfits. There will be more raids based on intelligence inputs.”

Brajabidhu’s quarters, located opposite the DC, Imphal’s (West) bungalow, was under heavy security cover even in the afternoon, with Additional SP Jalil personally supervising operations there. The MLA was seen in the courtyard with some of his family members, but did not speak to the media.