Imphal: Security forces in Manipur have arrested five militants belonging to different insurgent outfits, recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, and apprehended two alleged drug peddlers during separate operations conducted across the state in the past 24 hours, police officials said on Sunday.
A senior police official said the arrested militants were associated with the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). The accused were allegedly involved in criminal activities, including kidnapping and forcible collection of “subscriptions” (extortion).
UNLF Cadres Arrested in Thoubal
The official said two active UNLF cadres were arrested from Thoubal Bazar in Thoubal district. Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo was allegedly involved in recruiting new cadres for the banned organisation.
The arrested militants were identified as Mutum Seitaraj Singh alias Samlang (31) and Thounaojam Rakesh Meitei alias Amuba alias Pangeingakpa (35). A Maruti Suzuki Swift car allegedly used by them was also seized during the operation.
Drug Peddlers Held, Brown Sugar Worth Over Rs 50 Lakh Seized
In another operation, security forces raided a highway auto care workshop at Patsoi Lamkhai in Imphal West district along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and recovered 30 soap cases containing 346 grams of suspected brown sugar.
The seized contraband was estimated to be worth more than Rs 50 lakh.
The co-owners of the workshop were arrested and identified as Sheikh Salauddin (46), a resident of Odisha, and Chongtham Anilkumar Singh (38), a resident of Imphal West.
Arms Cache Recovered During Search Operations
Police officials said that in two separate search operations in Imphal West and Ukhrul districts, security forces recovered a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives.
The recovered items included:
- Two modified .303 rifles
- Four bolt-action single-barrel guns
- Four 9 mm pistols
- One Chinese hand grenade
- One locally made ‘Pompi’ gun
- One 12-bore rifle
- Nine live rounds of ammunition
- One homemade improvised mortar shell
- One improvised explosive device (IED)
- Fifteen barrel cartridges
Meanwhile, security forces comprising central and state agencies have intensified operations against militants across Manipur. Search operations and area domination exercises are being conducted in vulnerable areas, including fringe and mixed-population regions.
A total of 112 nakas and checkpoints have been established across valley and hill districts to prevent the movement of militants, anti-social elements and suspicious vehicles. Security personnel are also providing armed escorts to vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities, along the strategically important Imphal-Jiribam National Highway.
The Manipur Police have appealed to people to remain alert and avoid spreading unverified information, fake videos and fabricated messages on social media platforms.