Security Forces Crack Down on Insurgents in Manipur

Imphal:In a major crackdown on insurgent networks, combined security forces in Manipur arrested 21 individuals, including active militants and drug traffickers, during a week-long series of coordinated operations. The joint effort involved the Indian Army and Assam Rifles under Spear Corps, in collaboration with Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF, and ITBP.The operations, conducted between April 27 and May 4, targeted suspected insurgent hideouts and extortion hubs across the districts of Kakching, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, and Kangpokpi. As a result, 17 active members of banned militant outfits were apprehended, and a large cache of weapons was recovered. The seized arsenal included 31 firearms, 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades, substantial quantities of ammunition, and other military-grade materials.Security personnel have stepped up cordon-and-search efforts across the state to further dismantle extortion rackets and neutralize insurgent elements. On May 4, two militants linked to proscribed groups KCP (PWG) and KYKL (SOREPA) were detained from Heigum Yangbi area under Mayang Imphal Police Station in Imphal West district. Identified as Longjam Bishochandra Meitei alias Bungo and Chirom Roshan Meitei alias Thomas, both were allegedly involved in extortion activities and were found with mobile phones suspected to have been used for illegal communications.In another operation on the same day, a man named Md Maner, aged 38, was caught in Kairang Chingya, Imphal East district, with 34 grams of suspected heroin powder in his possession, indicating a nexus between insurgency and narcotics trade.Earlier, on May 3, an operative of the KCP (Apunba) was arrested from Yairipok Laimanai under Andro Police Station in Imphal East. The suspect, Lairenlakpam Dineshchandra Singh from Thoubal district, was reportedly involved in extortion and was found carrying a 9 mm pistol, live rounds, mobile phone, and various identification documents including a PAN card, Aadhaar, and voter ID.The successful operations mark a significant step toward restoring peace and stability in the conflict-prone northeastern state.