Imphal, August 4: In a significant blow to insurgent activities in Manipur, security forces on Sunday arrested eight militants linked to four banned outfits during a series of coordinated counter-insurgency operations across the state.
According to police sources, five active cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) or KCP (PWG) were apprehended from multiple locations spanning Imphal West, Imphal East, and Bishnupur districts. Those arrested have been identified as M Premkumar Singh (28), Yambem Shital Singh (39), Sorokhaibam Inaoton Singh (38), Khongbantabam Inaocha Devi (52), and Oinam Naoba Singh (18).
Authorities allege the group was involved in a range of serious crimes including extortion, armed assaults, abduction, and the possession of illegal firearms. A 9mm pistol, along with a magazine and cartridge, was seized during the arrests.
In a separate operation, an operative of KCP (Taibanganba), identified as Heisnam Bobo Singh (37), was taken into custody from his home in Haobam Marak, Imphal West. Police said he had been extorting money and threatening educational institutions across the Imphal Valley.
Further arrests included Sorokhaibam Rohit Meitei (24), a cadre of the proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), detained from Itham Thongkhong in Imphal East, and Nepram Hari Meitei (19), associated with the KCP (Noyon) faction, who was picked up from a farm near his residence in Lamlai Chingkhu, Imphal East.
“All eight militants were actively involved in unlawful and anti-national activities,” police said, adding that investigations are ongoing to unearth their wider network and identify potential handlers.
The coordinated arrests come amid a broader push by state and central forces to dismantle underground militant networks operating in Manipur, particularly in the wake of renewed insurgent threats in the region.
