Imphal: Security forces arrested ten cadres of various banned underground outfits and recovered a substantial cache of military-grade weapons during operations conducted at multiple strategic locations across Manipur over the past 48 hours.
Officials reported on Saturday that five cadres of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were arrested in separate operations. Naorem Johnson Singh (20) of Kakching Wairi Thongam Leikai, Kakching district, was arrested from his locality.
Seram Chingloiba Meitei, alias Tomei or Tom (27), of Khurai Angom Maning Leikai, Imphal East district, was apprehended from his residence. Chingakham Nongpoknganba Meitei (21) of Takhel Awang Leikai, Imphal East district, was nabbed from his locality.
Phanjoubam Rabi Meitei, alias Luwangamba (28), Md. Ruwaj Arif, alias Babool (23), and Md. Abdul Hakim, alias Inaocha (35), were captured in different areas of Imphal East for their involvement in planning IED blasts targeting businessmen.
Authorities recovered three IEDs, seven sticks of TNT (approx. 2.47 kg), two detonators, two timers, and three mobile phones from their possession.
Another PLA cadre, Chongtham Nanao Singh, alias Khunou (29) of Kakching Khunou, Kakching district, was apprehended between BP 78 and BP 79 under Moreh PS, Tengnoupal district.
In addition, one cadre each from the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL) was arrested between BP 73 and BP 74 under Moreh PS, Tengnoupal district. They are Angom Lemba Meitei, alias Liklaingamba (26), of Top Moirang Kampu, Imphal East district (KCP), and Yumnam Boni Meitei, alias Yaitamba (42), of Kachikhun, Imphal West district (KYKL).
Furthermore, an active cadre of the United National Liberation Front – Pambei (UNLF-P), Thongam Premjit Singh (49) of Thangmeiband Kabrabam Leikai, was arrested from his residence under Imphal PS, Imphal West district.
He is an accused in an FIR registered at Imphal PS regarding a bomb explosion at Sagolband Takhellambam Leikai in 2022.
During the final operation, an active cadre of the Kuki National Front (KNF), Jamtinlen Haokip (34) of K Salbung Village, Churachandpur district, was apprehended from the general area of Tuibong under Churachandpur PS. A 9mm pistol along with a magazine was seized from him.