Reported by: Bit Irom
Imphal: Security forces in Manipur arrested six insurgents, including a self-styled Commander-in-Chief of a Kuki insurgent group,and rescued three youths who were reportedly being coerced for recruitment,during coordinated operations carried out over the past 36 hours, officials said on Tuesday.
In the first operation, Vincent Pumjamang Taithul (40), the self-styled Commander-in-Chief of the Zogam Liberation Front (ZLF),a non-Suspension of Operation (SoO) group was arrested from his residence at Zoumun IDP settlement near Geljang village in Churachandpur district. Security personnel also recovered 10 pieces of organisational letterhead and three mobile phones.
In a separate operation in Imphal East district,four active cadres of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were arrested from the Nongada-Chana area under Lamlai police station.The arrested individuals were identified as Moirangthem Sanathoi Meitei (19), Kshetrimayum Chaoba Meitei (24), Malemnganba Moirangthem (23), and Nepram Tolenkhomba Meitei alias Ibungo (18). Two mobile phones were seized from them.
In another action, Leishangthem Ibungo Singh (50), an active member of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Taibanganba), was arrested from the Irengband Hawairou Mayai Leikai area under Kakching police station.
Security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, including four automatic rifles, 36 empty magazines, one 51 HE bomb, two Para bombs, 11 detonators, four Lathode shells, and 1,993 live rounds.
In a fourth operation in Imphal West district, Khumbongmayum Ananda Meitei alias Lamphel alias Ibomcha (53), a self-styled advisor of KCP (Apunba), was apprehended. Two mobile phones and an Aadhaar card were seized from his possession.
Officials said that during the operations, three youths who were allegedly detained and coerced for recruitment into a banned outfit were also rescued.
Security forces said the operations are part of ongoing efforts to curb insurgent activity in the state.