Imphal: Two insurgent groups in Manipur have refuted allegations made by Manipur Police in connection with the arrest of five persons, including two women, who were accused of associating with underground outfits allegedly involved in anti-social activities such as kidnapping and recruitment.
The proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) denied any link between the outfit, its armed wing Red Army, and the two women arrested by security forces. The women — Khundrakpam (Ongbi) Ningthoujam (Ningol) Roshidiya Devi (24) of Khangabok Khul-Lakpam Leikai in Thoubal district and Lisham (Ongbi) Bidya (30) of Thoubal Haokha Maning Leikai in the same district — were arrested during an operation on January 5.
In a communiqué issued by its Department of Publicity and Propaganda, PREPAK said the two women were arrested by a Manipur Police team on January 5, 2026, on charges of recruiting cadres for the outfit, but termed the allegations “baseless”.
Police, however, said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of three minors from Kakching Khunou Ngaikhong Leikai under Waikhong police station in Kakching district. The children, who were allegedly abducted for recruitment into PREPAK, were later rescued from Uchiwa Awang Leikai in Imphal West district and handed over to their parents.
Similarly, the proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA), also rejected police claims. In a press release issued by its assistant secretary (publicity), Bangkim, the RPF said allegations that three arrested individuals were associated with the PLA/RPF were unfounded.
The RPF said Sarangthem Mahes (19) of Kairenbikhok Mayai Leikai, Laishram Kullabi alias Ronel (35) of Liwa Lambi Kha Maibam Leikai, and Laishram Jiban (45) of Heirok Part-II Chingol, all recently arrested by security forces, have no connection with the RPF or its armed wing, the PLA.
Such denials are common in Manipur’s prolonged insurgency-related conflict, where police and underground groups frequently contest each other’s claims in the sensitive border state.