Security forces arrested 13 militants in coordinated operations across multiple districts of Manipur over the past 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday. The detainees, held in Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Chandel and Kakching, are reported to belong to several banned outfits, including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the Socialist Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (SOREPA), the United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) and the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
The arrests were made in joint operations by the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and other central forces. Authorities said the suspects were allegedly involved in attacks, kidnappings, forcible collection of “subscriptions” and recruitment of youths into banned groups.
Security teams recovered a substantial haul of weapons, ammunition and incriminating material from different locations, including Chandel district, which borders Myanmar. Seized items included rifles (foreign‑made and indigenous), an INSAS rifle, several pistols, single‑ and double‑barrel guns, shotguns, a functional rocket, two hand grenades, a mortar bomb, landmines, an improvised fragmentation mine, detonators and a large quantity of live ammunition. Investigators also recovered documents, vehicles and subscription receipts.
In Senapati district, security forces demolished three illegally constructed bunkers in Taphou Kuki and Taphou Liangmai villages. Violence in Taphou earlier this week left a CRPF jawan injured and saw at least two houses torched, prompting protests and a blockade on National Highway‑2 amid rising tensions between Naga and Kuki communities.
As part of intensified counter‑insurgency measures, security agencies have stepped up search and area‑domination operations across fringe and mixed‑population areas. Officials said 111 naka points and checkpoints have been established across valley and hill districts to monitor movement of militants, anti‑social elements and suspicious vehicles. Armed escorts continue for trucks and vehicles carrying essential supplies along the strategic Imphal–Jiribam National Highway (NH‑37), with convoy protection maintained on vulnerable stretches to ensure safe passage of goods and passengers.
