Reported by: Bit Irom
Imphal: In a major operation, security forces arrested five active members of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) (KCP-PWG), including its self-styled founder chairman Laishram Ranjit Singh, from a hideout in Langol area of Imphal West on Wednesday.
Officials said the KCP-PWG is a banned militant outfit in Manipur and is currently active in extortion, regrouping and armed activities, particularly in the valley districts. The original Kangleipak Communist Party was formed in 1980, while the PWG faction has remained active in recent years.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
i) Self-styled founder chairman Laishram Ranjit Singh (52), also known as Tamnganba, Apik, and Loya, from Yurembam Awang Leikai in Imphal West,
ii) Oinam Somenchandra Singh (42), also known as Macha, Moirangjao, and Karangjao, of Thanga Karang Mamang Leikai in Bishnupur district, currently residing in Langol, Imphal West,
iii) Arambam Birkumar (52), also known as Kanba and BK, of Sekmai Kanglatombi Mantriband in Imphal West,
iv) Maibam Tomba Singh (39), also known as Loya, of Tentha Khunjao in Thoubal district,
v) Chabungbam Lamnganba Meitei (38), also known as Wangba, of Heibongpokpi Maning Leikai in Imphal West.
Security forces recovered five mobile phones and three Aadhaar cards from their possession.
In a separate anti-insurgency operation, security forces seized a cache of weapons from Loktak Mapal near Keipha Road under Moirang Police Station in Bishnupur district.
The recovered items included a bolt-action rifle, a 9 mm pistol with magazine, a 2-inch mortar shell, four HE-36 hand grenades, two smoke grenades, an improvised rocket mortar, three gelatin sticks, anti-aircraft ammunition, 28 rounds of assorted ammunition, five ballistic cartridges, two stun grenades, a 2-inch Para ILL bomb, two shotgun shells, a Baofeng radio set and two bulletproof plates.
All arrested individuals and seized materials have been handed over to the respective police stations for further legal proceedings.