Four Manipur police personnel were among five persons arrested for allegedly snatching arms from their colleagues in the Imphal West district on Tuesday evening by breaking into the farmhouse of a ruling BJP MLA Kh Joykishan Singh.

After arresting those involved in the heist, the police issued a statement that said the four cops and a civilian had “forcibly snatched” three rifles, four magazines with 80 live ammunition “from police personnel at Leikinthabi under Sekmai PS, Imphal West District” on Tuesday evening.

The arrested police personnel have been identified as Meisnam Krishnadas (57), Maibam Shanjit Singh (34), Longjam Jayenta Singh (52), Oinam Banti Singh (30) and civilian Mainam Bomcha (45). They have been remanded into 10 days in police custody for further investigation, the police said.

In the follow-up of the arms snatching case, the police have also recovered from Sekta Awang Leikai, Imphal East, three INSAS Rifles along with three magazines, one S. Calibre Rifle along with magazine, one INSAS LMG Rifle along with magazine, two) AK-56 Rifles along with two magazines, 130 live ammunition rounds, two mobile phones and nine miscellaneous items, including military fatigues from Sekta Awang.

The police, have, however, not shared details about the motive of the heist or the trigger but the recovery of a large quantity of arms and ammunition reflect the precarious ground situation in the strife-hit state.

The strife between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zos, which erupted on May 3, 2023, had seen mobs from both sides loot arms and ammunition from police armouries at least four times.