Imphal: A joint team of central security forces and the Manipur Police arrested five alleged members of proscribed insurgent outfits and seized arms, ammunition and narcotics during separate operations carried out across multiple districts, officials said on Monday.
The coordinated operations targeted underground groups operating in the valley and adjoining areas, resulting in the arrest of several active cadres linked to banned organisations.
Among those apprehended was Thokchom Bango Singh, alias Ibopishak, a self-styled captain of the banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the outlawed People’s Liberation Army (PLA). He was arrested from the Khongjom area in Thoubal district. Security personnel recovered a 9 mm pistol, 97 rounds of live ammunition and a Toyota Fortuner from his possession.
In a separate operation, security forces arrested Angom Premjit Singh, an alleged extortionist associated with the RPF/PLA, from his residence in the Lamsang area of Imphal West district.
The crackdown also led to the arrest of two active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party-Politburo Standing Committee (KCP-PSC) from separate locations in Thoubal and Imphal West districts.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Police formally took Haobijam Dilip Singh, chairman of KCP (Taibangnganba), into custody after securing his transfer from Tihar Jail. He was brought to Manipur in connection with a pending FIR registered at Singjamei Police Station.
In a separate anti-narcotics operation, police intercepted a passenger bus in Thoubal district and seized 540 grams of suspected heroin (brown sugar). The bus driver fled the spot and efforts are underway to trace and arrest him.
Apart from anti-insurgency and anti-drug operations, the Manipur Police continued its traffic enforcement drive across the state. Over the past week, the department issued 64 traffic challans, collecting fines amounting to Rs 1.37 lakh, while also removing illegal tinted films from eight vehicles during the special enforcement campaign.