Manipur Police arrested four individuals in Imphal West district on December 8 for their alleged involvement in extortion, with the detentions formally reported the following day. The accused include two members of the UNLF (Pambei) faction — Ningthoujam Nongpoknganba Meitei, 31, and Konthoujam Nelson Singh, 23 — who were taken into custody at Awang Wabagai. Although the group signed a peace agreement with the central government in 2023, authorities noted that several members have continued participating in criminal activities.
The operation also led to the arrest of two SOREPA members. Police apprehended 24-year-old Chungkham Nanao Macha, also known as Mitlang, from Ningthemkol, while 41-year-old Arambam Thoithoi Singh was detained in Changangei. Officers said the arrests came after coordinated efforts to curb ongoing extortion attempts in the district.
In a parallel development, security forces recovered a stockpile of weapons and ammunition from Ngairangbam Mayai Lambi Loukon on the same day. The seized items included two single-barrelled guns, a stun grenade, a smoke grenade, a 36-HE grenade without its detonator, fifty-four rounds of ammunition and two radio sets. Police also found unaccounted cash amounting to ₹3.90 lakh in the possession of the arrested individuals.
Officials stated that investigations are under way to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in recent cases of intimidation and unlawful collection of money in the district. The arrests form part of ongoing efforts to curb militant-linked criminal activity in Manipur despite the peace agreement signed last year.
