Imphal: In a significant crackdown on proscribed militant activities, security forces in Manipur have apprehended three active cadres from the Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) and the Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army in separate operations conducted on July 24 and 25.
The arrests, spanning Imphal West and Thoubal districts, have shed light on ongoing extortion rackets targeting the public and businesses.
On July 24, intelligence-led action resulted in the capture of Sorokhaibam Inaocha Singh alias Romesh, 47, an alleged key figure in the KCP (PWG)’s extortion network. He was nabbed from his home in Salam Mamang Leikai, Imphal West. Authorities seized three mobile handsets, a PAN card, five extortion notes bearing the KCP (PWG) letterhead, and two seal stamps, one marked “KCP (PWG)” and the other “Revenue Officer (RO),” from his possession, underscoring the organised nature of their illegal activities.
The following day, July 25, saw further successes for the security personnel. In Thoubal district, Oinam Ranjita Devi alias Erai Leima, 38, a female cadre of the RPF/PLA, was arrested from her residence in Oinam Sawombung Mayai Leikai. Investigations reveal Ranjita Devi was actively involved in extorting funds from a wide range of victims, including educational institutions, school transport associations, local businesses, and shop owners across the valley areas. Recovered items from her included three mobile phones, an Aadhaar card, and incriminating extortion-related documents, specifically notepads detailing the names and contact information of her victims.
In a third, concurrent operation on July 25, another active RPF/PLA cadre, Ahanthem Surjit Singh, 29, hailing from Wangjing SK Leikai, was apprehended from the Leirongthel Pitra area in Thoubal. Surjit Singh’s involvement extends beyond monetary extortion to include the recruitment of new cadres and issuing threats to local residents and business owners, highlighting the multifaceted nature of their operations. All three arrested individuals are presently in custody, undergoing rigorous interrogation as security forces work to dismantle the broader extortion networks and recruitment drives of these militant outfits.
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