Imphal, May 28: Security forces in Manipur intensified operations against extortion and illegal liquor activities on May 26, leading to the arrest of a suspected militant cadre and the recovery of arms, weaving machines and a large quantity of liquor in separate operations across the state.
According to officials, security personnel arrested an alleged extortionist linked to the banned United National Liberation Front (Progressive), or UNLF(P), from the Lamlong area. The accused was identified as Heisnam Jiban Singh (51), a resident of Thanga Heisnam Leikai who was presently staying near Checkon Tribal Market.
During the operation, security forces recovered a mobile phone from his possession. Officials said the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to curb insurgency-linked extortion activities that have reportedly affected traders and small businesses in different parts of Manipur.
Based on information obtained during interrogation, security forces launched a follow-up search operation in the Langol area. The search led to the recovery of 18 wooden weaving machines believed to have been extorted from local residents and traditional artisans. Security personnel also seized a 9 mm pistol, one magazine and three live rounds of ammunition.
Investigators suspect that the recovered weaving equipment had been taken from small-scale weavers and households, underlining the impact of extortion on traditional livelihoods in the region.
In a separate operation carried out on the same day, Manipur Police detained two persons from Pallel Maning Leikai in Tengnoupal district for allegedly possessing large quantities of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and locally manufactured DIC liquor.
The detained individuals were identified as Moirangthem Tomba Singh (26) and Naorem Bembem Devi (51).
Police seized 488 bottles of various IMFL brands, each containing 375 ml, along with 11 bottles of McDowell’s liquor of 750 ml capacity. Officials also recovered 397 litres of DIC liquor during the operation.
Authorities stated that the operations are part of an intensified crackdown on extortion networks, militant-linked activities and illegal liquor distribution amid continuing security concerns in Manipur. Further investigation in both cases is underway.
