Imphal: The Manipur Police arrested six cadres of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) on December 14 in Thoubal district’s Salungpham area for their involvement in extortion activities. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
Acting on a tip-off, police forces confronted the PREPAK cadres, resulting in a gunfight. During the clash, an 18-year-old cadre, identified as Laishram Prem Singh, was injured by a bullet. He was rushed to Imphal’s Raj Medicity Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Prem Singh, a resident of Thoubal Khunou, had been reported missing by his family in August 2024 but had since joined PREPAK and was reportedly residing in Kakching Khunou.
The six arrested individuals were identified as Thokchom Momocha alias Sunny (41), Sarangthem Anand Singh alias Malem (36), Ningthoujam Karna alias Pishak Singh (27), Ningthoujam Manoranjan Singh alias Khagemba (21), Thongam Phalguni alias Urikpa (27), and Moirangthem Johnson alias Thouna (21). The group had allegedly traveled from Kakching Khunou to Salungpham village to carry out extortion activities.
The operation resulted in the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including:
• Three 5.56 mm INSAS rifles with four magazines
• One 5.56 mm AMOGH rifle with two magazines
• One 7.62 mm SLR rifle with two magazines
• One .303 rifle with one magazine
• 46 INSAS live rounds, 27 AMOGH live rounds, 25 SLR live rounds, and 37 .303 live rounds
• Two four-wheeler vehicles and six mobile handsets
Preliminary investigations suggest that the recovered weapons were likely looted from police armories. Forensic teams and a Magistrate have been engaged to assist in further investigation.
The arrests and the death of Prem Singh sparked protests in Thoubal district, with local women’s groups, Meira Paibis, claiming that the arrested individuals were village defense volunteers. The protestors demanded their unconditional release and called for legal action against the police commando allegedly responsible for Prem Singh’s death.
Demonstrators staged protests at Thoubal Melaground and blocked the National Highway, condemning the incident. Women from various parts of the district joined the demonstration, emphasizing their demand for justice and accountability. Protest leaders strongly condemned the killing of Prem Singh and urged authorities to take strict action against the personnel involved.
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