Imphal: In a massive, coordinated push, Manipur’s security forces and police units have delivered a significant blow to various criminal and insurgent networks operating in the state. The operations, which took place on August 12 and 13, resulted in a large number of arrests and the recovery of a substantial cache of illegal goods and weapons.
On August 13, police in the Imphal East district seized 258 litres of illicit liquor and detained 24 individuals. In a separate operation on the same day, police in the Thoubal district arrested Sangomsungbam Nasir Khan, 29, a drug smuggler, and seized 500 grams of brown sugar from his residence.
A joint team of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles also nabbed Sharangthem Sanatomba Singh, 41, alias Amuthoi, a member of the KCP (PWG) insurgent group, from Nungaipokpi Maning Leikai in Imphal East. He was allegedly involved in extortion, issuing threats, illegally settling crimes against women, and running money-lending rackets. Two other extortionists, Paominthang Kipgen, 32, and Seigoulal Kipgen, 33, were arrested from the Keithelmanbi Vengpi area in Kangpokpi district. Security forces also recovered a 12-bore single-barrel rifle and a Pompi from a forest area near the Singda River in the same district.
The previous day, August 12, security forces apprehended two active cadres of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Sinam Borish Singh, 22, and Ningthoujam Meiraba Singh, 24, near the Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar No. 85 in the Tengnoupal district. Also on August 12, three KCP (PWG) cadres were arrested from Wabagai Lamkhai in the Kakching district. The trio—Pechimayum Bidyarani Devi, 45, Khomdram Asha Devi, 42, and Thokchom Jiban Singh alias Taton, 51—were reportedly extorting money from the public. Four mobile phones were also seized from them.
In a separate action, security forces recovered a cache of weapons and explosives from the Dampi Ridge area near Moljang in the Churachandpur district. The haul included six single-barrel rifles, three long-range Pompi mortars, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and a pair of combat shoes.
Police officials stated that extensive combing and cordon-and-search operations are ongoing in fringe and vulnerable areas across the state to curb such activities. Authorities also ensured the safe movement of 118 vehicles carrying essential supplies along NH-37 with armed convoys through sensitive areas. A total of 112 checkpoints were established across districts, with no untoward incidents reported. The Manipur Police has reaffirmed its resolve to continue these operations to dismantle criminal syndicates and insurgent groups.
Read More: Arunachal: Youth Leader Takam Regam Invited to Red Fort for 79th Independence Day