Rocket launchers seized from suspected terrorists in Manipur are undergoing controlled destruction in Narela as part of a joint operation by the Army, Delhi Police Special Cell, and the Forensic Science Laboratory. These weapons were part of a larger cache of arms and ammunition confiscated during a search operation. The disposal process adheres to strict legal protocols for evidence and property, involving forensic examination and authorized destruction methods to permanently render the firearms unusable. This initiative highlights the ongoing efforts to manage and neutralize illegal weaponry recovered from criminal investigations.

Rocket launchers seized from suspected terrorists in Manipur are undergoing controlled destruction in Narela as part of a joint operation by the Army, Delhi Police Special Cell, and the Forensic Science Laboratory. These weapons were part of a larger cache of arms and ammunition confiscated during a search operation. The disposal process adheres to strict legal protocols for evidence and property, involving forensic examination and authorized destruction methods to permanently render the firearms unusable. This initiative highlights the ongoing efforts to manage and neutralize illegal weaponry recovered from criminal investigations.

Rocket launchers seized from suspected terrorists in Manipur are undergoing controlled destruction in Narela as part of a joint operation by the Army, Delhi Police Special Cell, and the Forensic Science Laboratory. These weapons were part of a larger cache of arms and ammunition confiscated during a search operation. The disposal process adheres to strict legal protocols for evidence and property, involving forensic examination and authorized destruction methods to permanently render the firearms unusable. This initiative highlights the ongoing efforts to manage and neutralize illegal weaponry recovered from criminal investigations.

A joint operation by the Army, Special Cell of the Delhi Police, and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is underway in Narela, where rocket launchers recovered from suspected terrorists are being destroyed, a report said.

Citing sources, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday that the weapons were recovered from two men arrested from Manipur.

According to the report, the rocket launchers were brought to Delhi for examination and disposal. It was part of a cache of arms, ammunition, and explosive material seized during a joint search operation in Manipur in connection with the case, PTI said, citing sources.

The recovery included rifles, hundreds of rounds of live ammunition, detonators, and other explosive material.

The exercise is being carried out by specialised teams, and the recovered weapons are being disposed of in a controlled manner as part of the operation, they said.

The disposal of confiscated arms is not easily executed, as in most cases, they become evidence or property in a criminal investigation. This means they become subject to a legal chain involving seizure, forensic examination, court proceedings, and, ultimately, an authorised form of disposal.

There can be state-specific procedures and different rules depending on the agency handling the weapons. "All District Magistrates, State Police Officers, all officers of the rank of Sub Inspector and above in the Central Armed Police Forces have been empowered to search and seize illegal arms from any person, vessel, vehicles or other means of conveyance. Whenever any information is received by any Police Officer of any illegal weapon being stored or carried, raids are conducted and the illegal weapons are seized. Law and Order is a state subject and it is expected that the State Governments will ensure prompt action on any report regarding possession of illegal weapons," the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajya Sabha in 2013.  

As per the Arms Rules, 2016 of the MHA, "The firearm bureaus under the Central Government or the State Governments shall maintain inventory for different categories of confiscated, captured, seized, recovered or surrendered arms and ammunition."  

Here is what it further states on the destruction of firearms and ammunition:

(1) Any obsolete or obsolescent, condemned or unserviceable firearm or any confiscated, captured, seized, recovered or surrendered firearm that does not bear the manufacturer’s serial number or additional identification mark shall be marked forthwith by the concerned Central or the State firearm bureau in accordance with the procedure laid down in rule 34 and rule 58 and details of such firearm be recorded in a separate register and uploaded on the NDAL system under a distinct category.  

 

(2) The firearm bureau shall submit to the local licensing authority an application containing the details of firearm to be destroyed, giving particulars regarding the make, type, caliber of the firearm as well as the manufacturer’s serial number or additional identification mark and the licensing authority shall after verifying the particulars recorded in the list supplied to it by the firearm bureau, grant permission for destruction of firearm.

 

(3) The firearms under this rule may be destroyed, only by melting, pressing or in any other manner determined by the licensing authority and ensuring that the original intent, design and purpose of the firearm or any part thereof is permanently or irrevocably destroyed: Provided that a firearm or ammunition, shall be destroyed only in the presence of a designated officer deputed by the local licensing authority.

 

(4) A list of firearms or ammunition destroyed under sub-rule (3) with the particulars of such firearms referred to in sub-rule (2) shall be submitted to the licensing authority within fourteen days of such destruction.

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