Security Forces Crack Down on Insurgency and Narcotics in Manipur; Multiple Arrests, Arms and Drugs Seized
&nbsp;
In a sweeping security crackdown across Manipur over the past 24 hours, combined teams of the Army and state police apprehended six insurgents from various banned outfits, two habitual offenders, and four drug traffickers, senior officials confirmed on Thursday. The operations also resulted in the seizure of a significant cache of weapons, explosives, and narcotics.
Among the arrested insurgents was Waikhom Rohit Singh alias Phurupngakpa (33), of Thoubal Pakhangkhong Leirak, who was detained in connection with an ongoing National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe.
Four cadres of the People&rsquo;s Liberation Army (PLA) were picked up in Imphal West district. Meanwhile, one militant each from the United People&rsquo;s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) was detained from Imphal East and Kakching districts, respectively. Security personnel recovered arms, explosives, seven mobile phones, and undisclosed amounts of cash from their possession.
In a parallel effort to clamp down on drug trafficking, police intercepted two vehicles in Tengnoupal district &mdash; which borders Myanmar &mdash; and recovered three lakh methamphetamine tablets concealed in customised compartments. The highly addictive pills, colloquially known as Yaba or party drugs, are estimated to be worth several crores. Authorities also seized ₹2.6 lakh in cash, several Aadhaar cards, and supporting documents from the suspects.
The arrested traffickers were identified as Paojathang Kipgen (30) and Kamminlun Kipgen (24), both residents of Govajang village. Elsewhere in Imphal West, another anti-narcotics operation led to the seizure of 274.8 kg of marijuana from a truck. Two suspects &mdash; Kayenbam Kenedi Singh (36) and Keisam Sarat Singh (55) &mdash; were taken into custody.
Law enforcement also detained Sinthangamba Konsham Mangang (25), of Kabo Leikai, Thoubal district. A known serial offender, Mangang has allegedly participated in several mob-led attacks, including a violent incident targeting the office of the Thoubal SP.
The ongoing drive against vehicle theft yielded the recovery of four more snatched vehicles. This brings the total number of stolen vehicles retrieved since 16 April to 126 cars and 20 two-wheelers, as part of a broader state-wide operation against anti-social elements.
In a separate action in Imphal East, Ahanthem Rajesh, a United National Liberation Front (UNLF) cadre, was arrested from Wangkhei Porompat for alleged extortion. A Beretta pistol with 15 live rounds and two mobile phones were recovered. A raid on his hideout yielded a substantial weapons cache: sub-machine guns, pistols, magazines, grenades, ammunition, and ₹69,000 in cash.
Another UNLF (P) member, Laishram Ramesh Singh (44) of Khundrakpam Awang Leikai, was arrested for operating as a financial agent collecting extortion money from government employees. Police seized ₹21.5 lakh in cash and mobile phones from his residence.
Further south in Tengnoupal, the BSF apprehended two men &mdash; Khaiminlen Lupho (36) and Boipu Gangte (40) &mdash; while they were allegedly dismantling corrugated sheets from abandoned homes. The duo was later handed over to Moreh police for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Imphal West police arrested Kamal Hussain (44) from the North AOC area and recovered over one kilogram of brown heroin, along with four vials of heroin residue, a mobile phone, and identification papers.
In Tamenglong district, a joint force raided Tadbung village along NH-37 under the jurisdiction of Kaimai Police Station. The operation yielded two soap boxes containing 70&ndash;80 grams of suspected heroin.
Routine combing and area domination operations are continuing in the vulnerable fringes of the hill and valley districts, where sporadic incidents tied to ongoing ethnic unrest remain a concern.

Armed forces sweeping actions against militants and criminals

Security ops in Manipur net arms, drugs, insurgents in coordinated crackdown

Manipur Forces Nab Militants, Drug Peddlers

Security ops in Manipur net arms, drugs, insurgents in coordinated crackdown

May 1, 2025 | 15:42 IST