Imphal, May 29: Security forces in Manipur have arrested an alleged extortion operative linked to the banned United National Liberation Front (Progressive), or UNLF (P), and recovered firearms, ammunition and suspected extorted property during a follow-up operation.
The accused, identified as 51-year-old Heisnam Jiban Singh, a resident of Thanga Heisnam Leikai currently staying near Checkon Tribal Market, was apprehended from the Lamlong area on May 26. Police said a mobile phone was seized from his possession during the operation.
Based on information obtained during interrogation, security personnel later conducted a search operation at Langol, leading to the recovery of 18 wooden weaving machines believed to have been extorted from local residents. Authorities also seized a 9 mm pistol along with a magazine and three live rounds of ammunition during the search.
Officials said the operation forms part of continuing efforts to curb extortion and insurgency-related activities affecting civilians and small businesses in the state.
In another operation carried out on the same day, Manipur Police detained two individuals from Pallel Maning Leikai in Tengnoupal district and seized a large quantity of liquor allegedly stored illegally.
The detainees were identified as Moirangthem Tomba Singh, 26, and Naorem Bembem Devi, 51. Police recovered 488 bottles of different Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brands, each containing 375 ml, along with 11 bottles of 750 ml McDowell’s liquor. Authorities also seized 397 litres of DIC liquor during the raid.
Police said further investigation is underway in both cases.
