Imphal: Five militants were arrested from different parts of Manipur’s Imphal valley districts, police said on Thursday.
Three members of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Noyon) were arrested from Mantripukhri Lamlongei Maning Leikai in Imphal East district. Police said the KCP (N) cadres were allegedly involved in extorting money from local businesses.
In a separate operation, a cadre of the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) was arrested from Sekmai Khunou in Imphal West district. The arrested individual was identified as 35-year-old Shagolsem Lokeshor Singh, who had been staying at a relief camp in Mantop Yumpham.
A mobile phone with two SIM cards was seized from his possession, police said.
Another member of the KYKL (SOREPA) faction was apprehended from the Uripok Achom Leikai area of Imphal West district on Wednesday. He was identified as 19-year-old Shamulailatpam Arbin Sharma, police added.
Further investigations are underway, officials said.
Police sources stated that the arrests were made during a series of coordinated search operations conducted based on specific intelligence inputs. Security forces have intensified surveillance and patrolling in several sensitive areas to curb the activities of underground outfits and prevent attempts at extortion and intimidation.
The arrested militants have been handed over to the police stations for further legal action. Authorities said efforts are on to identify other individuals linked to the groups, and operations will continue to ensure peace and stability in the region.
