Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Jul 24: Security forces in Manipur have arrested four suspected militants belonging to different insurgent groups and a woman accused of drug trafficking during a series of counter-insurgency and anti-narcotics operations conducted across the state over the past 24 hours, officials said on Friday.
According to a senior police official, the arrested militants are affiliated with the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and the United Kuki National Army (UKNA). The arrests were made during separate operations in Imphal East, Bishnupur and Tengnoupal districts.
Among those arrested was Mayanglambam Tomba Singh alias Lakpa (39), an alleged KYKL member. Police recovered a 9mm pistol, a magazine and 11 live rounds of ammunition of different calibres from his possession. Investigators alleged that he was involved in an explosion at a petrol pump in Moirang.
Another accused, S. Palal Kuki alias Lalboi Singson, identified as the Finance Head of the UKNA, was also apprehended. Police alleged that he was involved in multiple cases of extortion and firing incidents in the state.
In a separate development, Manipur Police detained T.H. Kaoni, a proclaimed offender wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a case being investigated by its Patna unit.
Acting on a request from the CBI, the accused was taken into custody and later handed over to the agency's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Imphal.
Police said Kaoni has been charge-sheeted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly using forged and fabricated legal documents. A Special Judicial Magistrate of the CBI court in Patna had earlier issued a non-bailable warrant against him and declared him a proclaimed offender after he allegedly evaded investigation and trial.
Meanwhile, police also arrested a 30-year-old woman, identified as Leila, from the Lilong police station area in Thoubal district on charges of drug trafficking.
During the operation, officers seized 10 soap cases containing 389 grams of heroin from her possession.
Security forces have continued intensive search operations and area domination exercises in vulnerable, fringe and mixed-population areas as part of ongoing efforts to curb insurgent activities across the state.
To strengthen security, authorities have established 112 checkpoints and nakas across both the valley and hill districts to monitor the movement of militants, suspicious vehicles and other anti-social elements.
Security personnel are also escorting trucks and other vehicles transporting essential commodities along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Additional convoy protection and strict security measures remain in place at vulnerable stretches of the highway to ensure uninterrupted movement.
The Manipur Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid spreading rumours and refrain from believing fake videos or misleading information circulating on social media.