Manipur Security Forces Recover Arms, Arrest Militants Amid Tense Calm

Imphal, March 21, 2025:

A tense but controlled atmosphere prevailed in Manipur over the past 24 hours as security forces stepped up operations across the state to curb unrest and ensure the safety of civilians. Amid ongoing search operations and area domination exercises in fringe and vulnerable regions of both hill and valley districts, several significant recoveries and arrests were made.

In one of the major operations, security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the general area of Zero Point near N. Boljang village track, located about five kilometers north of the Company Operating Base (COB) at Kotlen in Kangpokpi district. Among the seized items were two 7.62 mm SLR rifles with magazines, one country-made .22 mm pistol, an improvised mortar device (locally known as “Pompi”), two country-made pull mechanism rifles, six mortar bombs, eight 7.62 mm rounds, and a Motorola Baofeng handset.

Meanwhile, in Thoubal district, police recovered two vehicles suspected to be stolen from Ushoipokpi along National Highway-102 under the jurisdiction of Lilong Police Station. The vehicles—a white Maruti Swift ZXI bearing registration number ML04D 1580 and a grey Maruti Swift VXI with registration number WB02AF 6824—have been taken into custody for further investigation.

The crackdown also led to the arrest of several active cadres belonging to various underground outfits. In Imphal East district, Laishram Romen Meitei (46), an active member of the proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army (RPF/PLA), was arrested from Uchol Makha Leikai. He was allegedly involved in extorting money from the public. A mobile phone and wallet were seized from his possession.

In a separate operation, security forces arrested Nongthombam Kenedy Meitei alias Heiba (39), an active cadre of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), from Khurai Chingangbam Leikai. He too was accused of extortion-related activities.

Imphal West district witnessed a series of arrests linked to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP – Apunba group). Three individuals—Mutum Jackson Meitei (20), Akoijam Sanjoy Singh (19), and Nongthombam Gopen Singh (59)—were picked up from their respective homes. A wide range of weapons was recovered from them, including an INSAS rifle with three live rounds, a 9 mm pistol with two rounds, two air guns, a double barrel gun, components of a lathode gun, and several magazines (some damaged), along with tear and lathode shells.

Following up on the arrest of these three, police later apprehended their commander, Ningthoujam Chalamba Singh (28) from Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai. Two mobile phones were seized from him.

In another significant operation, a joint team of the Manipur Police and Assam Rifles arrested Thangmangjam Naoba Singh alias Pamuba (28), an active cadre of the KCP-People’s War Group (PWG), from Mayang Langjing Bazar in Imphal West. He had reportedly been involved in issuing threats and extorting money from shops, stone crushers, and members of the general public.

The efforts to curb underground activity extended beyond Imphal as well. On March 20, Ningthoujam Sundar Singh alias Ningthouba, a 24-year-old cadre of the PREPAK (Pro) outfit, was arrested from Moirang Lamkhai in Bishnupur district. Police recovered a mobile phone and an Airtel SIM card from his possession.

Despite the underlying tension, normalcy in logistics was maintained. A total of 538 vehicles carrying essential goods—168 on NH-37 and 370 on NH-2—were able to move safely under tight security. Security convoys were deployed in vulnerable stretches to ensure their smooth passage.

To maintain law and order, police set up 109 checkpoints across different districts. No major violations or detentions were reported.

Authorities have appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid falling prey to misinformation and fake videos circulating on social media. A helpline (9233522822) has been provided for verifying any doubtful content. The police have warned that legal action will be taken against those who share or upload fake posts online.

In a final appeal, the Manipur Police urged individuals or groups still in possession of looted arms and ammunition to surrender them voluntarily to the police or nearby security forces.

—Reported by Police Control Room, Manipur Police