Security forces have arrested six militants linked to different banned underground organisations during separate operations carried out in three districts of Manipur, police officials said on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the police, the arrests were made during coordinated operations conducted in Tengnoupal, Imphal West, and Imphal East districts over the past few days. The security forces have been carrying out regular search and arrest operations across the state as part of efforts to restore normalcy following the ethnic violence that began in May 2023.
Police said that three active cadres of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were arrested on Monday from the area between Border Pillar 75 and Border Pillar 80 in Tengnoupal district. The region lies along the Indo-Myanmar border and has often been under surveillance due to the movement of insurgent groups.
In another operation, security personnel arrested a cadre of the proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), also known as PREPAK (Pro), from his residence at Taothong Mamang Leikai in Imphal West district on March 9.
Police said that another member of the same organisation was apprehended from Moreh in Tengnoupal district on March 10 during a separate operation.
In Imphal East district, security forces arrested an active cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Faction), commonly known as KCP (MFL). The arrest was made from the Khurai Thangjam area on March 10.
Officials said the arrests were made following intelligence inputs and surveillance carried out by security agencies. The individuals are suspected to have been involved in activities related to banned underground groups operating in the state.
Police said further investigation is underway and the arrested persons are being questioned to gather more information about the activities and networks of the organisations.
Meanwhile, security forces also carried out an anti-narcotics operation in Kangpokpi district. During the operation, police personnel along with officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Forest Department destroyed around 10 acres of illegal poppy cultivation.
The illegal poppy fields were found between Tingpibung and Leplen villages in the district. Officials said the destruction of the poppy fields is part of the ongoing campaign against illegal drug cultivation and trafficking in the state.
Security agencies have intensified operations in different parts of Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
