Imphal: Manipur Police have rescued four youths from being inducted into militant ranks after arresting an insurgent recruiter, officials said on Thursday.
The arrest exposed what police described as a major effort by insurgent groups to mislead local youths and lure them into outlawed outfits.
Multiple raids were conducted across the Imphal Valley on January 7, 2026, by personnel of the Assam Rifles, the CRPF and the civil police to track those involved in recruiting locals into militancy. The operations led to the arrest of an insurgent who was actively recruiting cadres in Imphal West district.
The arrested individual was identified as Phamdom Dinesh Singh, also known as Wangba and Thembung (37), a resident of Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai Lairembi Leirak under Patsoi police station in Imphal West district. Police said he is an active cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party–Meeyamgee Feengang Lanmee (KCP-MFL) and was involved in recruiting youths for the outfit.
Based on his on-the-spot interrogation and disclosures, police rescued four persons who were confined in a rented house at Langjing in the same district and were being prepared for induction into the banned organisation. The identities of the rescued youths were withheld.
Police said the following items were seized during the operation:
(i) one mobile handset,
(ii) one Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle without a registration number, and
(iii) some incriminating documents.
The arrested person remains in police custody for further interrogation to ascertain the extent of recruitment of youths, particularly from economically weaker families, through such recruitment drives.