Security forces in Manipur have arrested three active members of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) in a string of coordinated operations carried out across Bishnupur, Imphal East, and Imphal West districts over the past two days. Officials confirmed that arms, mobile phones, and identity documents were recovered during the operations. The first breakthrough came on September 18 in Bishnupur district, where personnel intercepted Thokchom Romen Singh (47) of Ningthoukhong Awang Khunou. Believed to be an operative of the KCP (Noyon) faction, Singh was apprehended near the Ningthoukhong Project Gate under Bishnupur Police Station. Security forces seized a mobile phone and SIM card from his possession.
On the same day, another operation was launched in Imphal East district. Acting on intelligence inputs, forces arrested Md. Sarat Khan alias Chacha (47) of Khabeisoi, identified as an active member of the KCP (PWG) faction. He was detained near Mother Teresa Home in Mantripukhri under Heingang Police Station. The third arrest came a day later, on September 19, in Imphal West district. Security personnel apprehended Sapam Paikhomba Meitei (20) of Moreh Ward No. 6, Tengnoupal district, believed to be linked with the KCP (Taibanganba) faction. The arrest was made at Laphupat Tera Hiyangkhong under Mayang Imphal Police Station. A .32 pistol with an empty magazine, a mobile phone, and an Aadhaar card were recovered from him.
Officials said the arrests mark an important step in weakening the operational capacity of different KCP factions that remain active in the state despite long-standing bans. The KCP, listed as a proscribed group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, has been associated with extortion, recruitment, and armed attacks in Manipur. Security forces have intensified counter-insurgency measures in recent months, targeting militant hideouts and tracking movements of active cadres. The latest operations, spread across multiple districts, reflect what officials describe as a “coordinated effort to dismantle militant networks at the grassroots level.”
