Agartala: Tripura Police have arrested an active member of the outlawed militant outfit Tripura United National Front (TUNF) from neighbouring Mizoram in connection with a case pertaining to the recovery of explosives and other serious criminal offences, officials said on Wednesday.
The arrest was made on December 24 at around 5:30 pm when a police team, led by the officer-in-charge of Vanghmun police station, carried out a coordinated operation in Mizoram.
The accused was identified as Lalthanga Reang, son of Harimnohan Reang, a resident of Bandarima under Anandabazar police station in North Tripura district.
Police said Reang is an active member of the TUNF and was wanted in connection with Vanghmun police station case number 2025VGM007.
The case has been registered under sections 61(2)(a), 148, and 310(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
According to officials, the arrest followed sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering on the movement of the accused across state borders.
Acting on the inputs, the police team proceeded to Mizoram and successfully apprehended him without any resistance.
Police sources said the accused has a long criminal record and is allegedly involved in several serious offences, including kidnapping, murder, and jailbreak.
He was earlier arrested in connection with Damcherra police station case number 2020DMC012, registered under sections 457, 364(A), 385, 506, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, along with section 25(1)(a) of the Arms Act. That case was related to incidents of kidnapping and murder, they added.
Investigators said that despite previous arrests, Reang continued to remain active in militant activities and was allegedly involved in attempts to regroup and strengthen the outfit’s network in the region.
Police are also probing his possible links with other underground elements operating in Tripura and neighbouring states.
After completing all legal formalities, the arrested militant was produced before the appropriate court and has been remanded to police custody for further interrogation.
Officials said the interrogation would focus on tracing the source of explosives, funding channels, and the extent of his involvement in recent unlawful activities.
Senior police officials described the arrest as a significant development in the ongoing drive against militant outfits and organised crime in the state, adding that further investigation is underway and more arrests cannot be ruled out.