Imphal: India’s security agencies have issued a high alert at vulnerable locations in Manipur, particularly along the Myanmar border, following the recovery of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Myanmar currency, firearms, and ammunition.
Officials said on Sunday that four insurgents from two underground factions were arrested, and contraband drugs were seized on Saturday.
Intelligence inputs indicated the presence of anti-social elements in the region, posing a security threat in areas along the Manipur-Myanmar border.
Based on credible information that insurgents were attempting to establish a presence across districts, central security forces, assisted by the civil police, conducted a flash operation using a metal-detecting dog.
The crackdown led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with a magazine, two 9mm pistols with magazines, 16 IEDs (destroyed in situ), four detonators, safety fuses, eight batteries, 16,800 Myanmar Kyats, and a first-aid kit.
The joint team of central forces and Manipur Police recovered the military-grade weapons from the area between Border Pillars 72 and 73, near Yangoubung village under Moreh Police Station in Tengnoupal district.
In separate operations, security forces arrested three active cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group (KCP-PWG) from different locations in Imphal East and Imphal West districts:
Thangjam Yaiphaba Meitei alias Rabi alias Piktru (32), a resident of Yumnam Patlou Mamang Leikai in Imphal East, was arrested from his residence.
Laitonjam Ramakanta Meitei alias Bothe (35), a resident of Uyumpok Maning Leikai in Imphal East and currently residing at Khurai Arambam Leirak, was arrested from his residence.
Thongam Herojit alias Gudupao (39), a resident of Tendongyang Mayai Leikai in Imphal West, was arrested from his residence.
Three mobile handsets and two Aadhaar cards were seized from their possession.
Another KCP cadre associated with the Meeyamgi Fingang Lanmee (MFL) faction, Telem Priyobarta Singh alias Boy alias Loya (51), a resident of Keishampat Aheibam Leirak, was arrested from his rented house in Sagolband Thingom Leikai under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West district. Two mobile handsets and one Aadhaar card were seized from him.
Additionally, police arrested two individuals from the Old Lambulane area under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West district: Tarungbam Barun Singh (28) of Uripok Tourangbam Leikai and Samaj Ashangbam (28) of Nagamapal RIMS Road.
A Maruti Alto car and 480 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup were seized from them.
Finally, in Kakching district, police recovered 100 packets of TL-20 Royal chewing tobacco, 20 packets of Talab Royal chewing tobacco, and 50 packets of Shikhar from a bus (AS12-AC 8560) in the Kakching Chumnang area.