Imphal: In a major counter-insurgency breakthrough, security forces in Manipur arrested an active cadre of the banned militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) — KCP (PWG) — during an intelligence-led operation near Loktak Lake on June 24.
The arrested individual, identified as 44-year-old Mutum Manaocha Singh alias Khullakpa, a resident of Tronglaobi Makha Leikai, was apprehended from one of the floating huts in the Champu Khangpok area under Keibul Lamjao Police Station in Bishnupur district.
The operation, part of the ongoing cordon-and-search strategy across sensitive areas of the state, led to the recovery of a 9mm pistol with a magazine and two rounds of live ammunition from the suspect. Investigators discovered that the floating huts in Loktak Lake — India’s largest freshwater lake — were being used as clandestine transit points and shelters by underground militants.
A detailed search of the huts led to the seizure of items such as blankets, a gas stove, pressure cooker, table fan, and utensils, indicating extended occupation by insurgents. Following the discovery, the makeshift shelters were dismantled to prevent future misuse.
Crucially, interrogation of the arrested cadre led security forces to another cache of arms hidden in Nachou Awang Leikai, Patton Sallam Maton — also in Bishnupur district. The arms haul included one MA-1 rifle with three magazines, 31 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and two submachine guns (SMG carbines) along with their magazines.
Officials termed the seizures a significant blow to militant infrastructure in the state, especially at a time when insurgent outfits are suspected to be regrouping and exploiting difficult terrain like Loktak Lake for concealment and logistics. Security agencies are now working in coordination with intelligence units to locate and neutralize remaining hideouts and sleeper cells operating across the region.