Manipur’s Divide
The ethnic tensions in Manipur between the Kuki-Zo tribes and the Meitei community have brought the state's governance under intense scrutiny.
Two unidentified persons have looted 45 gold bars valued at over Rs 2 crore from two smugglers near Jiribam in Manipur, officials said.
Official sources on Sunday said the smugglers, who brought the gold bars from Myanmar, were looted at gun point on October 24 near Jiribam, bordering Assam along National Highway 37.
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Police said efforts were on to nab the looters and added that no complaint was lodged by the smugglers, fearing arrest.
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Police belatedly came to know of the heist through intelligence inputs.
Gold from southeast Asian countries is smuggled through Moreh, the centre for legal border trade in Manipur for sale in big cities in India.
Assam Rifles troopers have been seizing such gold bars along the Trans Asian Highway connecting Myanmar with India.
Police sources said the robbers may be members of a rival gang engaged in international gold smuggling and also did not rule out the possibility that they may have access to inside information about smuggling and have high connections.
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