Imphal: A clash between members of the Arambai Tenggol radical outfit and UNLF (Pambei) militants in Manipur led to the arrest of two Arambai Tenggol members.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when around 15-20 members of Arambai Tenggol attacked the residence of UNLF militant Irengbam Nandakumar Singh in Kongpal Chingangbam Leikai.
Four UNLF (Pambei) militants present in the house received blunt injuries, and a few rounds were fired by both sides, prompting security forces to intervene. The four UNLF (Pambei) militants were taken into custody, while the attackers managed to escape.
In a subsequent operation on Sunday, police arrested two Arambai Tenggol members, identified as Kshetrimayum Nikhil Singh and Yumnam Pringanba Singh, in connection with the attack. Raids are ongoing to arrest other accused involved in the incident.
Following the clash, security forces raided an office of Arambai Tenggol in Khurai and seized various items, including vehicles, suspected heroin, bulletproof plates, and incriminating documents. Arambai Tenggol had previously been involved in clashes with Kuki village volunteers.
In separate operations, five militants were arrested with arms and ammunition in the state. Three cadres of the banned PREPAK (PRO) were arrested from Kumbi Terakhong in Bishnupur district, while a member of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was arrested from Ningomvam Lamkhai in Imphal West district.
The arrests come amidst ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which has resulted in over 250 deaths and thousands displaced since May 2023. A delegation of Supreme Court judges recently visited the state, calling for peace and harmony to be restored.
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