Imphal, Feb 19: Coordinated security operations across Manipur on February 18 resulted in the arrest of three alleged members of banned insurgent outfits and the seizure of a substantial cache of firearms and explosives from multiple districts.
Police said a 53-year-old cadre linked to the proscribed People’s Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF/PLA), was apprehended from the Khangabok area under Thoubal police station in Thoubal district. Investigators alleged that he had been involved in recruiting new members and monitoring the movement of security forces, with the gathered intelligence reportedly passed on to handlers of the organisation.
In a separate operation in Imphal West district, security personnel arrested a 37-year-old member of the United National Liberation Front (Koireng faction) from his residence at Lamlongei Maning Leikai under Lamshang police station. A mobile phone and an Aadhaar card were seized during the search.
Another 34-year-old alleged operative of the Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG faction) was detained from Singjamei Chinga Makha under Singjamei police station in Imphal West district. Officials said he was involved in extortion activities. A two-wheeler and a mobile phone were recovered from his possession.
Search operations in border and hill areas also led to significant arms recoveries. In the general area of Yangoubung near Border Pillar 72 under Moreh police station in Tengnoupal district, two pistols with magazines and two Chinese hand grenades were recovered. The grenades were destroyed on the spot.
In another operation in the Loitang Leikinthabi hill range under Sekmai police station in Imphal West district, security forces seized one AK-47 Ghatak rifle with a magazine, two .303 rifles, one double-barrel rifle, one single-barrel rifle, three No. 36 high-explosive grenades and five improvised explosive devices.
Officials said the seizures highlight the continued presence of illegal arms in vulnerable regions and reflect ongoing efforts to dismantle recruitment, intelligence and extortion networks linked to insurgent groups operating in the state.
