In a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on insurgent activities in Manipur, security forces on Tuesday arrested four militants, including a self-styled senior leader of a proscribed outfit. The arrests took place in coordinated operations across Imphal West and Imphal East districts, according to police sources.
Key Arrests Made
Among those apprehended was Namgaklung Kamei alias November (42), who police say is the self-styled Deputy Chief of Army of the Zeliangrong United Front (J)—a faction of the banned ZUF group. He was arrested near Kekrupat in Imphal West district. A 9mm pistol with a magazine loaded with 10 rounds was seized from his possession.
In separate operations conducted in Imphal East district, three more militants belonging to various outlawed organisations were also apprehended. These arrests were part of a targeted crackdown based on specific intelligence inputs.
List of Arrested Militants
| Name | Age | Affiliation | Location Arrested | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namgaklung Kamei @ November | 42 | ZUF (J) | Kekrupat, Imphal West | Deputy Chief of Army; 9mm pistol recovered |
| Mutum Ibohanbi Singh | 49 | KYKL (SOREPA) | Andro Khuman, Imphal East | Active cadre |
| Md. Ajad Khan | 29 | KCP (PWG) | Khurai Chaithabi Leirak, Imphal East | Active cadre |
| Khulem Tulajit Meitei @ Tulen | 21 | KCP (Apunba) | Khurai Kongkham Leikai, Imphal East | Active cadre |
Seizures in Kangpokpi Operation
In a separate combing operation conducted at Nepali Khutti in Kangpokpi district, security personnel recovered a large cache of arms and explosives. These included:
3 bolt-action rifles
4 single-barrel rifles
2 pull-mechanism rifles
6 improvised mortars
1 open bore pistol
3 white phosphorus grenades
3 No. 36 hand grenades
5 No. 36 hand grenade detonators
Ammunition and tear gas shells
Police Statement
A senior police official stated, “These arrests and seizures were the result of intelligence-based combing and cordon-and-search operations aimed at curbing extortion, arms trafficking, and other criminal activities by underground groups in the state.”
Security forces are expected to intensify such operations in the days ahead to dismantle militant networks and maintain peace and law and order across the region.