In a significant crackdown on militants and drug trafficking, Manipur Police arrested five hardcore militants and seized a cache of arms and ammunition in the past 24 hours. The arrests took place in multiple districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur.
Among those arrested, Thongam Ronaldo Singh (26) and Khuraijam Micheal Singh (28) are cadres of the banned United National Liberation Front (Koireng faction). They were actively involved in extortion activities in the Imphal and Bishnupur districts. The police were able to apprehend them in Imphal East district.
Additionally, Wairakpam Jagatchandra Singh (31) and Pebam Romen Singh (28), both active members of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), were arrested from Thangtek Teramakhong in Bishnupur district. These militants were also involved in extortion activities, targeting local businesses, including a shop, a doctor, an oil pump, and a private school in Imphal West and Nambol.
The fifth arrest was that of Tayenjam Sanatomba Singh (43), a member of the Socialist Revolution Party Kangleipak (SOREPA), who had made monetary demands and threats to various government officials. He was apprehended in Kongba, Imphal East district.
In addition to the arrests, Manipur Police seized a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition, including:
One 9 mm pistol with a magazine
One automatic single-barrelled gun
Three hand grenades with nine detonators
One .303 LMG
144 live ammunition
Two INSAS LMG magazines
One INSAS rifle magazine
One radio wireless set
These weapons were believed to be intended for use by the arrested militants in their illegal activities.
Meanwhile, the police also arrested three drug peddlers on National Highway-02 (connecting Imphal to Senapati district) during a raid on Tuesday night. The drug peddlers were found in possession of 5.5 kg of heroin, valued at Rs2 crore, which was suspected to be smuggled from Myanmar. The drugs were hidden in 461 soap cases.
Manipur shares a long, unfenced border with Myanmar, making it a prime route for the smuggling of drugs. The police’s actions come as part of ongoing efforts to combat both militant activity and drug trafficking in the region. The authorities have vowed to continue their crackdown on illegal activities in the state.
