Nine individuals, including five militants affiliated with various proscribed outfits, were arrested from different locations in Imphal West district on Monday, police said on Tuesday.

Among those arrested was Huirem Dinesh Meetei (32), an active cadre of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA), who was apprehended from Meitei Lamkhai Chajing. He hails from Jiribam district.

In a separate operation, security forces arrested Leimapokpam Abem Chanu (25), a woman cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), from Wahengkhuman Maning Leikai. Police said she was involved in extortion activities, issuing threats and collecting money from several fuel stations across the valley area.

Three more cadres of the KCP (PWG) were arrested from a rented house at Sagolband Thingom Leikai. They have been identified as Oinam Shantikeshor Singh (35), Kangabam Sony Chanu (18), and Leishangthem Uma Devi alias Tombimacha (21). The trio was allegedly engaged in extortion, targeting shops in the valley region.

In a separate case, four individuals were arrested from the Himalayan Tiles Naka area in connection with a kidnapping and extortion case. According to police, two victims from Delhi and Jaipur were lured to Imphal under the guise of receiving training for a networking business. Upon arrival, they were kidnapped and threatened by the suspects, who posed as armed assailants and demanded ransom.

A pistol with a magazine and five live rounds were recovered from the accused, police added. Investigations are ongoing.