Manipur Police arrested three cadres belonging to two proscribed valley-based militant outfits from different districts of the state, officials said on Saturday.

A police team apprehended a cadre of the banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) from Sekmaijin Mayai Leikai in Kakching district on Friday. The arrested individual, identified as 35-year-old Hawaibam Ibungo, was reportedly involved in recruiting new members and extorting money from the public in Kakching.

Another PREPAK-Progressive cadre, identified as Pukhrambam Samchand Meetei (52), was arrested from Mantripukhri in Imphal West district the same day.

Additionally, a cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) – Politburo Standing Committee, Pukhrambam Rohit Singh (29), was arrested from Khundrakpam Awang Leikai in Imphal East district.

All three arrested individuals have been handed over to the respective police stations for further legal action, police reports stated.

Security Forces Seize Large Cache of Arms and Explosives

Meanwhile, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition during search operations conducted in Imphal East, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts over the past 24 hours.

In Imphal East’s Kamu village, near Mapithel Ridge under Thoubal Dam Police Station, authorities discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) weighing 11 kg, multiple improvised explosive devices, mortar bombs, telescopic sights, ammunition, and other explosive materials.

In Kakching district’s Wabagai Buffalo Farm area, security forces recovered a single-barrel gun, live rounds of INSAS and AK-series rifles, grenades, a Molotov cocktail, detonators, tear gas shells, a wireless communication device, a bulletproof vest, and other military gear.

A major arms haul was also reported from Naranseina and Sunusiphai villages under Moirang Police Station in Bishnupur district. Recovered items included an Excalibur rifle, a carbine machine gun, sniper rifles, pistols, hand grenades, live rounds, power gel explosives, IEDs, bulletproof helmets and jackets, wireless communication sets, and tactical pouches.

All seized weapons and explosives have been handed over to the respective police stations for necessary legal proceedings, police confirmed.

The operation marks a significant step in curbing militant activities in the region, officials added.