Eleven individuals associated with banned militant outfits were arrested on Monday from different locations across Manipur’s Imphal East, Kakching, and Thoubal districts, police said on Tuesday.
A senior police official stated that four members of the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) were apprehended from Mantripukhri French Colony in Imphal East district. According to a police statement, these individuals were allegedly involved in intimidating the public by placing hand grenades at various locations in the valley region. Two pistols along with two magazines and ammunition were seized from their possession.
In a separate operation, three more active members of the same outfit were nabbed from Keirao Wangkhem and nearby areas in Imphal East. Security forces recovered five firearms, ammunition, and a wireless communication device from them.
Meanwhile, another operative of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was detained from Sawombung Kabui Khunjao in Imphal East for his alleged involvement in extortion. Authorities recovered two pistols, a hand grenade, and a detonator from his possession.
In Thoubal district, two cadres of the banned KCP (Apunba) group were arrested from an abandoned house in Wangjing Awang Leikai. They, too, were suspected of being involved in extortion activities.
Additionally, a member of the KCP (Taibanganba), another banned faction, was taken into custody from the Angang Ching crossing in Kakching district.
Security operations across Manipur have intensified since the outbreak of ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023. The unrest has led to over 260 deaths and the displacement of thousands.
Following the continued instability, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13 this year, after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh tendered his resignation. The Manipur Legislative Assembly, with a tenure lasting until 2027, remains under suspended animation.