Manipur Launches Coordinated Crackdown on Militancy and Drug Trafficking, 14 Held

Imphal:In a major offensive against insurgency, extortion, and narcotics trade, Manipur police and security forces conducted a series of meticulously coordinated operations across multiple districts on May 4 and 5, resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals linked to banned militant outfits and criminal activities.Among the key arrests were seven active operatives of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), or KCP (PWG). On May 5, three members were apprehended in Imphal East’s Keirao Wangkhem area under Irilbung Police Station. The arrested were identified as Naorem Rabichandra Singh (30), Yengkokpam Premchand Singh (22), both from Thoubal, and Ningthoukhongjam Bikash Singh from Bishnupur. Seized from them were a cache of high-powered firearms including an AK rifle, M4, A1, and SLR rifles, a .303 rifle, ammunition, and a wireless device.In a separate bust the same day at Mantripukhri French Colony under Heingang Police Station, four more KCP (PWG) operatives were detained. These included Wahengbam Bimal Meitei (25), Sorenshangbam Sanjana Devi (25), Senjam James Singh (30), and Wangkheimayum Tarun Singh (24). Police found pistols, bullets, extortion letters, mobile phones, Aadhaar cards, and other materials indicating threats to civilians.Another significant arrest involved Moiranthem Oken (55), an alleged member of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), from Sawombung in Imphal East. He was found in possession of a 9mm pistol, grenade, detonator, and phones, reportedly linked to extortion activities.Further, two KCP (Apunba) operatives, both 19, were arrested in Thoubal for extorting money. In Kakching, a KCP (Taibanganba) member was caught with a mobile phone.In the anti-narcotics drive, police intercepted two significant heroin smuggling attempts. In Tengnoupal, 205 grams of heroin were found hidden in a car dashboard, leading to Abdul Rauf Khan’s arrest. In Churachandpur, Letminthang from Chandel was caught with 1.296 kg of heroin hidden in soap cases.Additionally, a vehicle recovery drive led to the seizure of six vehicles and removal of tinted windows from 57 others to bolster road safety and security compliance.Authorities affirmed that similar operations will intensify in the coming days.