Joint security forces in Manipur have taken two brothers linked with the banned National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM) into custody following targeted operations against armed groups. The duo stands accused of orchestrating separate shooting incidents against security personnel deployed in the state. Furthermore, security forces carried out another counter-insurgency drive in a neighboring district, resulting in the apprehension of an active operative belonging to the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL).
Brothers Detained for Targeted Attacks on Security Outposts
Acting on actionable intelligence gathered by the CRPF M&N Sector, team members from the Imphal East and Imphal West Commandos alongside CRPF personnel raided a site in Kongpal Kongkham Leikai within Imphal East district. The operation resulted in the arrest of 27-year-old Sheleibam Tomtin Meitei, also known as Tomba, and his 35-year-old brother, Sheleibam Jagatshyam Meitei. Details shared by Manipur Police on X confirmed that both individuals are active members of the illegal NRFM outfit.
Investigators state that the siblings were directly implicated in two gun attacks aimed at law enforcement personnel. On August 22, they allegedly opened fire on Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel stationed near Lamlong Bazar. Later, on September 10, they were linked to a secondary shooting targeting CRPF troops deployed at Khonghampat. Notably, their father, Sheleibam Yaima, had already been apprehended earlier in connection with the Khonghampat CRPF attack.
Weapons Seizure and Additional Arrest in Kakching
During the search operation following the brothers' detention, law enforcement officers recovered a significant cache of weaponry. The seized arms included an AK-47 assault rifle loaded with 43 live cartridges, along with a 9 mm pistol accompanied by 3 live rounds of ammunition.
In a parallel security action on September 15, a combined force comprising Kakching Commando teams, the 43 Assam Rifles, and the 46 Assam Rifles conducted a raid in Kakching district. Security forces apprehended 27-year-old Elangbam Langam Singh, son of late E. Ranjan Singh, from his residence in Hiyanglam Warakhong Manung under Hiyanglam Police Station jurisdiction. Authorities confirmed that Singh is an active cadre of the proscribed KYKL outfit.
