Imphal: A joint team of the Indian Army and Manipur Police arrested one cadre each from the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and recovered arms, ammunition, and communication devices on Sunday, reports stated on Monday.
The arrestees were accused of being involved in extortion activities.
The arrested UKNA cadre, a non-Suspension of Operation (SoO) member, has been identified as self-styled 2nd Lieutenant Thangminlun Haokip alias Philip (32), a resident of Jolzam village and son of Chungpao Haokip.
The arrest was made at around 2 am on Sunday, and an AK-47 rifle with a magazine and a mobile phone were recovered. Thangminlun Haokip is considered a ‘high-value target’ for his active involvement in extortion activities on behalf of the organization and his operational links with other UKNA cadres, said a source. He joined the UKNA in November 2023.
The arrested person and the recovered items have been handed over to the Churachandpur police, the source added.
In another anti-insurgency operation, the joint security forces captured a cadre of the outlawed People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF).
Khundom Momocha Meitei alias Yaiphaba (31), a resident of Yourabung Khunou, Lamlai police station, Imphal East district, was arrested from his residence along with a mobile phone.
Reports added that the arrested persons and the recovered items have been handed over to the respective police stations for further legal proceedings.