Security forces have arrested six militants affiliated with various proscribed outfits for their involvement in extortion activities across Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, and Thoubal districts, police said on Wednesday.
Three members of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were apprehended on Monday from different areas in Kakching district—Langmeidong, Elangkhangpokpi, and Kakching Ningthou Pareng. The arrested individuals have been identified as Nongmaithem Raju Singh (49), Yumnam Sunil Singh (46), and Kshetrimayum Opendro Singh (56). They were allegedly extorting money from government offices and private establishments, including brick fields in Kakching and Thoubal districts. Five live rounds were seized from their possession.
In a separate operation, an active cadre of the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Taibanganba) was arrested from Langthabal Khunou in Thoubal district. Identified as Konjengbam Akash Singh (29), he was reportedly involved in extensive extortion activities targeting brick fields, sawmills, banks, hospitals, educational institutions, oil pumps, shops, timber trucks, stone crushers, and contractors in the district. A 9 mm pistol, one magazine, and four live rounds were recovered from him.
On Tuesday, another militant, affiliated with the KCP (Apunba) faction, was arrested from the Sawombung area in Imphal East district. The accused, Phijam Tomba Meitei, was allegedly involved in extortion from a private school and an oil pump.
Additionally, one active member of the KCP-PSC (Politburo Standing Committee) was apprehended on Tuesday from Lamlongei Sabal Leikai in Imphal West district.
In a related operation on Tuesday, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition from Gothol Village in Churachandpur district. The recovered items include one Excalibur rifle with magazine, two country-made mortars (Pumpi), five mortar rounds, one locally made rocket bomb, five tear smoke shell soft noses, six wood-piercing tear smoke shells, two locally made BP plates, two wireless sets (Baofeng), and other related materials.
