Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal

Imphal, Aug 23: Security forces in Manipur have arrested eight militants, including a declared absconder and an extremist leader, in separate joint operations across five districts during the past 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

The arrests were made in Thoubal, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Imphal East and Imphal West districts during coordinated operations by the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and other Central forces, a police spokesman said.

The arrested militants are affiliated with banned outfits, including the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP).

According to the police, the militants were allegedly involved in various crimes and illegal activities, including attacks on civilians, kidnappings, forcible collection of “subscriptions” and recruitment of youths into banned outfits.

Among those arrested were two self-styled captains — Thiyam Boycha Singh alias Balin, 28, of the PLA, and Chongtham Lukhoi alias Rakesh, 45, of the KYKL.

During questioning, Thiyam Boycha Singh was allegedly found to have been part of the team that ambushed Assam Rifles personnel and six others at Behiang in Churachandpur district on November 13, 2021.

The police spokesman said Singh is the third accused in the case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and had been declared an absconder.

Security forces recovered arms and ammunition, incriminating documents, subscription receipts, cash, seals and letterheads belonging to banned outfits, along with other materials, from the arrested militants.

Meanwhile, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Manipur Police personnel have continued extensive counter-insurgency operations across the state, including search operations and area-domination exercises in fringe, mixed-population and other vulnerable areas.

As part of the intensified security measures, 111 nakas and checkpoints have been established across the valley and hill districts to monitor the movement of militants, anti-social elements and suspicious vehicles.

Security forces are also providing armed escorts to trucks and other vehicles transporting essential commodities along the strategically important Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).

Officials said strict security arrangements and convoy protection remain in place along vulnerable stretches of the highway to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of passenger and goods vehicles.