Manipur Police Cracks Down on Militancy, Arms Possession, and Traffic Violations; 22 Arrested in Intensified Statewide Operations

Manipur Police and security forces arrested a total of 22 individuals—including 16 militants and six others—during a series of coordinated operations across the state over the past few days.

The crackdown is aimed at stemming the rising cases of extortion, arms trafficking, and militant activity.

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On July 14, police arrested six individuals linked to extortion, arms possession, and affiliation with banned militant outfits.

At Singjamei Chingamakha in Imphal West, Ningthoujam Herojit (34) of Keibi Khullen Makha Leikai was apprehended with a 7.65 mm pistol, three live rounds, and a silver Hyundai Grand i20 vehicle. He is suspected of involvement in arms trafficking.

Another major arrest was that of Kh Ratan Singh (48) from Naodakhong Makha Leikai, Bishnupur district.

Two active cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Federal League) or KCP (MFL), identified as Moirangthem Gandhi Singh (34) and Mutum Anand Meitei (37), were arrested near Kasturi Bridge in Thangal Bazar, Imphal West.

In Thoubal district, police arrested Koijam Samananda Meitei (29), an active member of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), political wing of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

He was arrested from Leirongthel Pitra under Nongpok Sekmai Police Station for his alleged role in public extortion and recruiting new cadres. A mobile phone and SIM card were recovered.

Further, in the Bishnupur district, Thokchom Ibungo Singh (32) of Kumbi Setupur Mayai Leikai was arrested from his residence. A former member of PREPAK (PRO), he reportedly joined the KCP (Apunba) faction in April 2024. Police seized his Aadhaar card and a mobile phone.

In a parallel set of operations over the last week, a joint task force comprising the Army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Manipur Police conducted targeted raids across the hill and valley districts.

These operations led to the arrest of 16 suspected militants and the seizure of 17 weapons. Authorities said the arrested individuals were members of various proscribed outfits, though their names were not disclosed pending further investigation, a statement said.

The arms haul included automatic rifles, handguns, and large quantities of ammunition. Officials said the weapons were likely intended for use in targeted violence or recruitment campaigns by insurgent groups seeking to exploit the state’s ethnic tensions.

Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence since May 2023, mainly between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, leading to over 200 deaths and the displacement of thousands. The security vacuum has been exploited by insurgent groups that were previously dormant or underground.