In a significant breakthrough in curbing the activities of underground organisations in Manipur, the state police have arrested one Khumanthem Bikramjit Singh, aged 43, from Kiyam Siphai Khundongbam Leikai, Thoubal district.
Singh was allegedly involved in supplying mobile SIM cards to proscribed outfits, including PREPAK (PRO). The arrested individual has reportedly been aiding insurgents by providing them with SIM cards, which were then used by cadres based in Myanmar to extort money from residents of Thoubal Kiyam Siphai and surrounding areas.
Seized Items
Upon arrest, police recovered a large quantity of mobile communication items from Singh’s possession. The detailed inventory of seized items is as follows:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Realme 9 Pro+ mobile handset | 1 |
| Vodafone SIM cards | 85 |
| AIRTEL prepaid SIM cards | 9 |
| BSNL SIM cards | 4 |
| AIRTEL postpaid SIM cards | 2 |
| JIO SIM card | 1 |
| Total SIM cards recovered | 101 |
Investigation Underway
Police officials believe the recovered SIM cards were part of a wider network facilitating communication and extortion operations by insurgent groups operating across the Indo-Myanmar border. The case is currently under further investigation to identify other collaborators and to trace the digital footprint of the seized devices and SIM cards.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to dismantling support systems for insurgent groups and warned against aiding or abetting banned outfits. The arrest comes amidst heightened vigilance in Thoubal and other sensitive areas, as part of a broader crackdown on subversive activities.
Background
The People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), or PREPAK (PRO), is a proscribed insurgent outfit in Manipur, with reported bases in Myanmar. It has been involved in extortion, recruitment, and armed insurgency against the state.