Imphal: Manipur Police and security forces executed a sweeping series of coordinated combing and cordon-and-search operations across several districts on May 4th and 5th, resulting in the apprehension of numerous active cadres from banned insurgent groups and the confiscation of a substantial haul of arms, ammunition, and illegal substances.
On May 5th, in a significant breakthrough in Imphal East district, security forces successfully detained three active members of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) or KCP (PWG) in the Keirao Wangkhem area and its surroundings, under the jurisdiction of Irilbung Police Station. The arrested individuals have been identified as Naorem Rabichandra Singh, aged 30 and hailing from Thoubal; Yengkokpam Premchand Singh, 22 years old, also from Thoubal; and Ningthoukhongjam Bikash Singh from Bishnupur district. Upon their arrest, authorities recovered a significant cache of sophisticated weaponry, including an AK rifle, an A1 rifle, an M4 rifle, an SLR rifle, a .303 rifle, a quantity of live ammunition, and a wireless communication device.
In a parallel operation conducted on the same day in Mantripukhri French Colony, which falls under Heingang Police Station, four more active operatives of the KCP (PWG) were taken into custody. These individuals were identified as Wahengbam Bimal Meitei, 25; Sorenshangbam Sanjana Devi, 25; Senjam James Singh, 30; and Wangkheimayum Tarun Singh, 24, all residents of various areas within Imphal West and Thoubal districts. These individuals were reportedly involved in acts of intimidation against civilians, which included placing hand grenades and ammunition at different locations within the valley region. The police recovered two pistols along with ammunition, five demand letters issued by the KCP (PWG), mobile handsets, Aadhaar cards, hand gloves, a camouflage cap, a wallet containing cash, and a two-wheeler from their possession.
Further operations under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East led to the arrest of Moiranthem Oken, a 55-year-old active cadre of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), who was apprehended near Sawombung Bridge in Sawombung Kabui Khunjao. He was allegedly involved in extortion activities targeting businesses in the Imphal area. Authorities recovered a 9 mm pistol with loaded magazines, a hand grenade, a detonator, mobile phones, and a sling bag from his possession.
Also on May 5th, police arrested Sanabam Ratan Singh, a 60-year-old active member of the KCP (PWG), from Keibung Oinam Leikai under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West. Two mobile phones and an Aadhaar card were seized from him.
In Thoubal district, law enforcement apprehended two active cadres of KCP (Apunba), identified as Soibam Adit Singh alias Kalamu, 19, and Ningthoujam Ngairamba Meitei alias Ibungo, 19, from an abandoned hut in Heirok Laimayum. They are accused of engaging in extortion activities within the district. The items recovered from them included mobile phones, SIM cards, Aadhaar and PAN cards, and a wallet.
Earlier, on May 4th, Manipur Police arrested Takhellambam Ibochouba Singh alias Dumba, a 41-year-old active cadre of KCP (Taibanganba), near the MSPDCL Power House at Angang Ching crossing under Kakching Police Station. One mobile phone was seized from him.
In a significant blow to the illicit narcotics trade, security forces in Tengnoupal District intercepted a vehicle and, following a thorough inspection that extended into the early hours of May 5th, discovered 19 packets of suspected heroin powder, weighing approximately 205 grams, concealed within the vehicle’s dashboard. The accused, identified as Abdul Rauf Khan, 33, from Baksa district in Assam, was arrested, and the vehicle was impounded. Authorities also seized several identity documents and a mobile phone.
In Churachandpur District, an individual named Letminthang, 29, from Chandel District, was arrested in Gouchinkhup Veng near Venus Hotel. Authorities recovered 108 soap cases containing approximately 1.296 kilograms of suspected Heroin No. 4 from his possession, along with a four-wheeler, an Aadhaar card, and a mobile phone.
Concurrently, as part of an ongoing special drive aimed at curbing the use of stolen and unregistered vehicles, Manipur police successfully recovered six vehicles on May 4th. During the same initiative, tinted glasses were removed from 57 vehicles to ensure compliance with traffic and security regulations.
These recent operations signify a marked intensification of the state’s ongoing efforts to combat militancy, extortion, and drug trafficking, all of which have been identified as significant contributors to the prevailing insecurity and unrest in the region. Authorities have affirmed their commitment to continue such operations with heightened intensity in the days ahead.
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