IMPHAL, August 1: In a sweeping two-day operation aimed at clamping down on insurgent activity, security forces have arrested four militants across different districts, including a self-styled army chief and operatives involved in extortion.
The most high-profile arrest occurred on July 31, when police apprehended 46-year-old Moirangthem Biramani Meitei, who identified himself as the army chief of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Nongdrenkhomba). He was taken into custody at Phubala Patton in Bishnupur district. Officers seized a mobile phone and SIM card from his possession.
In a separate operation the same day, security forces arrested Telem Naoba Singh, 29, an active member of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-PRO), from Khurai Chairenthong in Imphal East. A mobile phone was also recovered during the arrest.
The largest operation unfolded a day earlier on July 30 in Thoubal district, where two cadres of the proscribed KYKL (Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup) outfit—18-year-old Keisham Wilson Singh and 22-year-old Thokchom Sanathoi Meitei—were detained at Salungpham Bazar. The duo was allegedly involved in ongoing extortion activities targeting local civilians.
Security forces recovered a cache of weapons and evidence from the KYKL operatives, including a 9mm pistol with magazine, a hand grenade, three live rounds, Rs 5,000 in cash, and two mobile phones with SIM cards.
Police officials confirmed that all suspects are in custody and are currently being interrogated to determine their involvement in wider insurgent operations in the region.
