Imphal: In the last 24 hours, security forces in Manipur have detained five militants affiliated with different insurgent groups, recovered a stockpile of weapons and ammunition, and arrested two drug dealers during various operations throughout the state, police officials reported on Sunday.
A senior police official indicated that the militants belong to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). These individuals were reportedly involved in multiple criminal activities, such as kidnapping and extortion, and were apprehended in separate operations conducted in the districts of Imphal East, Kakching, and Thoubal.
Two active members of the UNLF were specifically apprehended at Thoubal Bazar in Thoubal district. Initial investigations suggested that these individuals were engaged in recruiting new members for the outlawed group.
The UNLF members were named as Mutum Seitaraj Singh alias Samlang (31) and Thounaojam Rakesh Meitei alias Amuba alias Pangeingakpa (35). Authorities also confiscated a Maruti Suzuki Swift vehicle associated with the two militants during the operation.
In a separate significant operation, security forces targeted an auto care workshop located at Patsoi Lamkhai in Imphal West district, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). They discovered 30 soap cases containing 346 grams of suspected brown sugar, estimated to be worth over Rs 50 lakh.
The workshop’s co-owners were apprehended, identified as Sheikh Salauddin (46) from Odisha and Chongtham Anilkumar Singh (38) from Imphal West district. Additionally, in two other search operations conducted in Imphal West and Ukhrul districts, security forces recovered a variety of arms, ammunition, and explosives.
The seized items included two modified .303 rifles, four bolt-action single-barrel guns, four 9 mm pistols, a Chinese hand grenade, a locally made ‘Pompi’ gun, a 12-bore rifle, nine rounds of various caliber ammunition, a homemade improvised mortar shell, an improvised explosive device (IED), and 15 barrel cartridges.
In response to these developments, security forces comprising both Central and state agencies have intensified their operations against militants, conducting extensive search missions and area dominance exercises in mixed-population and vulnerable regions across Manipur.
As part of strengthened security protocols, a total of 112 nakas and checkpoints have been established throughout the valley and hill districts to deter the movement of militants, suspicious vehicles, and other anti-social elements. Armed escorts have also been provided for vehicles, including trucks transporting essential goods, along the strategically vital Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).
The Manipur Police have urged the public to refrain from believing rumors and advised vigilance against misleading videos, fabricated messages, and other misinformation circulating on various social media platforms.
