Imphal/New Delhi: Security forces in Manipur have arrested more than 350 insurgents in an intensified crackdown on extortion rackets that have taken increasingly audacious forms.
Officials report that armed groups, particularly those operating in the Imphal Valley, are now exploiting personal and family disputes—including matrimonial issues—as opportunities for financial gain.
The arrests began in mid-February following the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
The Governor’s administration has issued a strong directive to the public, urging citizens to report any extortion attempts to the police and warning that failure to do so may lead to legal action for aiding or abetting unlawful activities.
Officials say that the insurgent groups are under mounting pressure from heightened security operations and are resorting to more brazen tactics to fund their activities.
While extortion has traditionally targeted businesses, contractors, and government tenders, groups are now inserting themselves into personal conflicts for profit.
“It’s all about money now. If someone has a personal issue—be it a family feud, a land dispute, or a failed marriage—these groups offer to ‘resolve’ it for a fee,” an official said.
In one case, a man identified by the alias “Tiger” was apprehended in Imphal East while allegedly mediating a matrimonial dispute between two families.
He was later confirmed to be Laishram Ramesh Singh, a member of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF), working in its finance division.
During interrogation, Singh confessed to issuing threats and extortion demands, collecting funds from local business houses and government officials.
Police recovered two mobile phones and Rs. 21.5 lakh in cash suspected to be proceeds from extortion.
Authorities also highlighted the increasing sophistication of these operations. Insurgent groups are exploiting digital communication platforms to conceal their identities and locations.
Using SIM cards acquired with forged documents from various northeastern states, operatives place extortion calls via apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, often using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to mask their origins.
Victims are typically given a code and instructed to hand over money to anyone who presents that code, creating an anonymous handoff that is difficult to trace.
In some instances, civil society groups with questionable affiliations have acted as intermediaries, collecting the money and passing it on to insurgent groups after deducting a share.
President’s Rule was imposed under Article 356 earlier this year following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
The move came in the wake of escalating ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has deeply unsettled the state.
The Assam Rifles, a key force in maintaining internal security, has also played a significant role, arresting 77 insurgents involved in extortion operations, including several from hill-based groups operating in Churachandpur district.
Officials attribute most of the ongoing extortion to banned Valley-based groups such as the UNLF, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup (KYKL), and the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
These organisations, many of which had been relatively dormant before the May 2023 unrest, have seen a resurgence amid the current instability.
The UNLF, currently estimated to have around 530 active cadres, is known for targeting contractors and businessmen.
The PLA, which originally emerged under the banner of “Polei” with the objective of establishing an independent Meitei state, now funds its operations largely through extortion.
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KYKL, considered a mercenary outfit lacking any strong ideological foundation, draws its cadres from criminal and drug-dependent backgrounds.
PREPAK, banned for its secessionist agenda, is involved in drug trafficking and also collects extortion payments on behalf of other groups while keeping a share for itself.
Hill-based insurgent outfits such as the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA) and Chin Kuki Liberation Army (CKLA) have also been identified as active players in extortion and drug-related activities, particularly in the hill districts.
