Manipur Police, along with security forces, arrested three militants linked to proscribed outfits in coordinated operations across Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishnupur districts on February 19. In a separate search operation in Kakching district, a significant cache of arms, ammunition and explosives was recovered.

Officials said the operations were launched to dismantle extortion networks and prevent the movement of illegal weapons in the state.

Two active cadres of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), were arrested from different locations.

The arrested individuals were identified as Thounaojam Prempatra Singh alias Luwang alias Prem (31), a resident of Khurai Thangjam Leikai, who was apprehended from Singjamei Chinga Makha under Singjamei police station in Imphal West district, and Tharoijam Tony Singh (32), of Khurai Thoudam Leikai, who was arrested from Porompat area under Porompat police station in Imphal East district.

Police seized from their possession one 9 mm pistol with magazine, four 9 mm live rounds, a Honda Activa scooter, two mobile phones, a sling bag and two wallets.

In another operation on the same day, security forces arrested an active cadre of the proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), also known as PREPAK (Pro).

The militant was identified as Ningthoujam Kennedy (41) alias Guli alias Angousana, a resident of Moirangkampu Mayai Leikai. He was apprehended from Khewa Bazar under Porompat police station in Imphal East district. A mobile phone and an Aadhaar card were seized from him.

Separately, an active cadre of the proscribed United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), identified as Khoisnam Morendrajit Singh alias Kumar (42), a resident of Langjing Achouba Mamang Leikai in Imphal West district, was arrested from Malom Tulihal Makha Leikai under Nambol police station in Bishnupur district. A mobile phone and an Aadhaar card were recovered from his possession

Meanwhile, a search operation conducted at Keirak Awang Loukon Chingol area under Kakching police station in Kakching district led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of arms and explosives.

The recovered items include one Amogh Carbine with magazine, two locally made lathode guns, two locally made single-barrel guns, seven tear smoke shells, three tube launching devices, two .36 HE grenades with two detonators, 10 rounds of ammunition, 100 empty cases, two IDL explosives with two detonators, two helmets, one bulletproof jacket and two magazine pouches.
Security forces stated that further investigations are underway.