Imphal: Two senior cadres of the proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) were arrested by a joint security team for their alleged involvement in recruiting youths and engaging in criminal activities, the police said on Friday.
The arrests were made during coordinated operations carried out by the Manipur Police’s Anti-Insurgency Squad (AIS) along with central security forces, based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of anti-social elements.
In the first operation on Thursday, an active PREPAK cadre, Angom Romio Meitei (38), also known by the aliases Tayai and Ningthem, was apprehended from Moirang Bazar Thanga Parking under Moirang Police Station in Bishnupur district. A resident of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai in Imphal West district, Meitei was allegedly involved in a firing incident at Lairenjam Awang Leikai in August 2024 and had been actively recruiting new members for the banned outfit, according to the police. A mobile phone and two SIM cards were seized from his possession.
Acting on information obtained during his interrogation, the joint team launched a follow-up operation, leading to the arrest of another PREPAK cadre, Haobijam Manaoton Singh (24). Singh, a resident of Moirang Khunou Makha Leikai in Bishnupur district and presently staying at Moirang Khunou Hijam Khongnangkhong Leikai, was arrested from his residence under Keibul Police Station.
The police said the arrested individuals, along with the seized items, are in custody for further investigation and legal proceedings under relevant sections of the law.