Imphal: In a significant breakthrough for security forces in Manipur, three active cadres from different proscribed outfits were nabbed on Friday in separate and well-coordinated raids across the state. All three are alleged to be involved in serious criminal activities, including extortion and armed assaults, underlining the continued challenge posed by these groups to law and order.
In Imphal East district, a team apprehended Yumkhaibam Ronaldo Meitei, 24, from the New Checkon Tribal Colony. Meitei, an active member of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military and Financial Liberation), is suspected to have been involved in a firing incident at a government official’s residence in Imphal West back in March. A mobile phone and his Aadhaar card were seized during the arrest.
Meanwhile, in a separate action in Wabagai Mairenbam Leikai of Kakching district, Yumnam Sushintakumar Singh, 26, an active member of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), was taken into custody by Manipur Police. From his possession, a 7.65 mm pistol with a loaded magazine, a mobile phone, and an Aadhaar card were recovered.
A third arrest saw a self-styled Lieutenant of PREPAK (Red Army), Lisham Sanayamba Singh alias Thangjinganba, 33, detained from his residence in Uyumpok Maning Leikai in Imphal East. Investigations revealed that besides working for his own outfit, he was also involved in extortion activities on behalf of the KCP (PWG), with five demand letters on the KCP (PWG) letterhead and a mobile phone found during the operation.
The overall law-and-order situation in the state was reported as normal over the past 24 hours. Security forces maintained a strong presence, conducting search and area domination operations in vulnerable and fringe areas throughout the districts. Furthermore, the secure passage of 262 vehicles carrying essential commodities was ensured with security escorts along National Highway 37. A total of 111 checkpoints were also set up in both the hills and valley districts, with no untoward incidents or detentions reported from these locations.