The security forces in Manipur have apprehended five hardcore militants from various insurgent groups and captured a significant amount of arms and ammunition. Additionally, two drug peddlers were detained in separate operations conducted across the state within the last 24 hours.
The arrested militants, affiliated with outfits like the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), were engaged in criminal activities such as kidnapping and extortion. Operations carried out in Imphal East, Kakching, and Thoubal districts led to their capture.
In Thoubal district, two active UNLF members were arrested for allegedly recruiting new cadres for the banned group. The duo, identified as Mutum Seitaraj Singh alias Samlang (31) and Thounaojam Rakesh Meitei alias Amuba alias Pangeingakpa (35), were apprehended along with a Maruti Suzuki Swift car used by them.
A significant raid on a highway auto care workshop in Imphal West district resulted in the discovery of 30 soap cases containing 346 grams of suspected brown sugar, valued at over Rs 50 lakh. The workshop’s co-owners, Sheikh Salauddin (46) from Odisha and Chongtham Anilkumar Singh (38) from Imphal West district, were arrested.
Security forces also recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives in separate search operations in Imphal West and Ukhrul districts. The seized items included various firearms, pistols, grenades, live ammunition, and improvised explosive devices.
Meanwhile, security forces in Manipur are intensifying their crackdown on militants through search operations and area domination exercises in vulnerable areas. They have set up numerous nakas and checkpoints across the valley and hill districts to prevent the movement of militants and anti-social elements. Armed escorts are being provided to vehicles, including those transporting essential goods on the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).
The Manipur Police have urged the public to remain vigilant against misinformation circulating on social media platforms and have advised against believing rumors or fake videos.
