Security forces in Manipur arrested three hardcore militants and demolished 26 illegally constructed bunkers in a series of coordinated anti-insurgency operations across the state on Wednesday, 17 June, officials said. The intensified crackdown comes amid a recent surge in killings and armed activity in several violence-affected districts.

Militants Arrested, Weapons Recovered

A police official confirmed that three active cadres of the outlawed People's Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), were apprehended from separate locations in Imphal West district. The three individuals were allegedly involved in multiple violent incidents and criminal activities across the state.

In a separate operation in Imphal East district, security forces arrested one Yumnam Seityajit Mangang (36). A .22 calibre revolver along with nine live rounds of .22 ammunition was recovered from his possession.

26 Bunkers Destroyed in Kamjong and Ukhrul

In what officials described as a major operation, security forces razed 26 illegally built bunkers in Kamjong and Ukhrul districts. The structures were reportedly erected by armed cadres of various groups to facilitate violent activities and assert territorial control over certain areas.

During the demolitions, personnel recovered a binocular, 23 empty weapon casings of different calibres, and eight live rounds of Single Barrel Breech Loading (SBBL) guns from the bunker sites.

Drug Seizure in Churachandpur

In a parallel law enforcement action, Manipur Police arrested two individuals from Molnom village in Churachandpur district and seized approximately two kilograms of suspected morphine from their possession.

Cordon-and-Search Operations Underway

Combined security teams have been conducting extensive cordon-and-search operations and area domination exercises in the fringe and vulnerable zones of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Thoubal districts since Tuesday. Nakas and checkpoints have been established at multiple locations, and large-scale combing operations remain ongoing.

Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh is personally overseeing the operations in areas that have recorded a recent spike in armed clashes and killings involving different communities.

Injured Kuki Youths Shifted from RIMS Amid Protests

In a related development, three injured youths from the Kuki tribal community were transferred out of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal around midnight on Tuesday, following widespread protests over their treatment at the government-run hospital. The youths had sustained injuries during an exchange of fire between rival armed tribal groups in Kangpokpi district on Monday, 15 June. Authorities moved them under elaborate security arrangements to an undisclosed hospital, with the destination withheld for security reasons.

This is the latest in a series of security operations as Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic and insurgency-related violence. The pace and scale of the current crackdown signal an escalation in the Centre's and state government's resolve to restore order across the conflict-affected region.