Imphal: A joint team of central security forces and the Manipur Police arrested four alleged cadres of the banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF/PLA) and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a series of operations conducted across the state over the past 24 hours, officials said on Friday.
According to officials, the first operation led to the arrest of two active RPF/PLA cadres from their respective residences. The arrested individuals have been identified as Ningthoujam Gulson Singh alias Bhubon (36), a resident of Naharup Pangong Makhong, who is allegedly involved in extortion activities, and self-styled Lieutenant Ng. Surjit Singh alias Kaka alias Koko (41) of Kakwa Ningom Thongjao in Imphal West district, who allegedly served as the Finance Secretary of the outfit in the district.
During the operation, security personnel recovered a .32 calibre pistol with a magazine, a 12-bore double-barrel breech-loading (DBBL) gun, a single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) gun, two rounds of 12-bore ammunition, and a STEYR M9-A1 pistol along with a magazine loaded with six live rounds.
Officials said the arrests yielded crucial leads, prompting the joint team to launch a follow-up operation based on information obtained during interrogation.
The subsequent operation resulted in the arrest of two more alleged PLA cadres near Border Pillar-86 under Tengnoupal Police Station in Tengnoupal district. They were identified as Laishram Henry Singh (25), a resident of Khangngabok Sorok Wangma Part-I in Thoubal district, and Soibam Quinton Singh (19) of Keirembikhok Mamang Leikai.
All four arrested individuals, along with the seized arms and ammunition, have been handed over to the respective police stations for further investigation and legal action.
The arrests come amid intensified counter-insurgency operations by security forces across Manipur, aimed at dismantling militant networks, curbing extortion activities, and recovering illegal weapons in the wake of the state’s prolonged security challenges.