Security agencies operating across Manipur have detained three individuals linked to banned outfits and confiscated a substantial consignment of arms, explosive chemicals, and munitions during targeted operations in Imphal West and Imphal East districts. Official updates shared on Thursday detailed the outcomes of multiple coordinated security sweeps designed to neutralize unlawful elements and hidden weapon depots.
Interception of an Alleged Militant Recruitment Operative
In the first security sweep, personnel apprehended a 53-year-old woman over accusations of managing recruitment efforts for the outlawed People's Liberation Army. Detailing the intelligence-led raid, state authorities wrote on X that an operation was executed on September 23 at residential quarters within Zone-III of Langol Game Village under the jurisdiction of Lamphel police station, following corroborated data from the 33 Assam Rifles.
A combined detachment of state police and Assam Rifles raided the specific premises on Wednesday, arresting Konthoujam Rita Devi, also known as Maya. Investigators noted that she functioned as an active member within the banned outfit, focusing primarily on inducting fresh members into the group's hierarchy.
Apprehension of Two Extortion Suspects in Awang Sekmai
A parallel sweep on September 23 resulted in the arrest of two active members belonging to the KCP (MFL) faction, who were allegedly carrying out extortion schemes. That operation was mounted in the Awang Sekmai locality of Imphal West by a combined team consisting of 31 Assam Rifles and personnel from the Chief of Defence Organisation, Imphal East, acting on intelligence verified by the 4 Mahar Regiment.
Among those taken into custody was 24-year-old Yumnam Bidyasagar Meitei, also known as Sagar, who was intercepted at a rented residence in Awang Sekmai Lai Pat. Security personnel nabbed the second individual, identified as 24-year-old Salam Malemnganba Singh, alias Wanglen or Robot, in the vicinity of the PDA Ground located in Awang Sekmai.
Recovery of Explosives, Mortar Projectiles, and Firearms
Alongside the arrests, joint teams consisting of security forces and CDO Imphal East carried out an extensive comb-and-search exercise on September 24 along the foothills of Seijang Cheirao Ching, an area falling under the Yaingangpokpi police station in Imphal East district.
During the comb-out, personnel uncovered an arms dump featuring six 12-bore firearms, four of which were fabricated locally, together with one 9 mm handgun and an accompanying magazine. The recovery further yielded two No. 36 hand grenades, two 2-inch mortar projectiles, a single 51 mm mortar projectile, 18 live rounds across diverse calibres, and 178 empty ammunition casings. In addition, search teams secured six Emuldyne explosive units, three explosive primers, two wired detonators, seven arming rings, and complementary parts intended for grenade assembly.
