Manipur Police intensified counter-insurgency efforts this week, detaining three cadres linked to banned militant groups and recovering a significant cache of weaponry from a remote hill location.
The most notable recovery occurred on 20 November, when a joint security team traced a buried stockpile of arms inside the Urangpat hill ranges under Yaingangpokpi Police Station. The cache included a pistol with an empty magazine, a tear gas gun, a country-made bolt-action rifle, a country-made .22 rifle, three tear smoke shells, 11 live rounds of varied calibres, and 25 spent cartridges of 7.62 mm and 9 mm ammunition.
The discovery followed a series of separate operations on 19 November across Imphal East and Bishnupur districts, during which three individuals believed to be active members of proscribed groups were taken into custody.
Among them was 19-year-old PREPAK cadre Bidyasagar Ngangom, who was apprehended by Porompat Police from Kongpal Iranpham Thong. In a separate operation under Lamlai Police Station, authorities arrested Salam Sadananda Singh, also known as Bablu, a 28-year-old member of KYKL accused of extorting money from residents.
The third suspect, identified as Wangkhem Romesh Singh, also known as Rome or Khagemba, was picked up from Moirang Ngangkha Leikai in Bishnupur district. Police confirmed his affiliation with KYKL during preliminary interrogation.
Officials stated that investigations into all three cases are underway, and additional operations may be initiated based on emerging intelligence inputs. Security forces have stepped up surveillance in vulnerable zones as part of continuing efforts to curb militant activities in the state.
