Manipur crackdown: 4 militants, woman drug trafficker arrested in 24 hours
Synopsis
In a sweeping 24-hour operation across Manipur, security forces arrested four militants from three different insurgent outfits — including a UKNA Finance Head — and a woman drug trafficker carrying 389 grams of heroin. With 112 checkpoints active statewide and convoy escorts on NH-37, the crackdown reflects a coordinated effort to simultaneously choke insurgency networks and narcotics supply lines.
Key Takeaways
Security forces in Manipur arrested four militants from KCP , KYKL , and UKNA outfits within 24 hours on 24 July .
Mayanglambam Tomba Singh alias Lakpa (39) , a KYKL militant, was carrying a 9mm pistol and 11 live rounds ; allegedly linked to a petrol pump explosion in Moirang .
Palal Kuki alias Lalboi Singson , UKNA's Finance Head , was arrested and is allegedly linked to firing and extortion incidents.
Proclaimed offender T.H.
Kaoni was detained and handed over to the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Imphal.
Woman drug trafficker Leila (30) was arrested from Thoubal district with 389 grams of heroin in 10 soap cases.
112 nakas and checkpoints are active across Manipur's valley and hill districts; convoy escorts continue on NH-37 .
Security forces in Manipur arrested four hardcore militants from different insurgent outfits and a woman drug trafficker within 24 hours on 24 July, as part of intensified counter-insurgency and anti-narcotics operations across the state, officials said. The arrests span multiple districts and outfits, signalling a broad-based operational push by both Central and state agencies.
Militants Arrested and Outfits Involved
The four arrested militants belong to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), and the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), according to a senior police official. They were apprehended from Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Tengnoupal districts during separate operations.
One of the arrested militants, Mayanglambam Tomba Singh alias Lakpa (39), a KYKL member, was found carrying a 9mm pistol with a magazine and 11 live rounds of ammunition of different calibres. Police said Singh was allegedly involved in an explosion at a petrol pump in Moirang earlier.
The arrested UKNA militant, identified as S. Palal Kuki alias Lalboi Singson, reportedly served as the outfit's Finance Head and is allegedly linked to multiple incidents of firing and extortion.
Proclaimed Offender Handed Over to CBI
Acting on a request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Patna, the Manipur Police also detained T.H. Kaoni, a proclaimed offender wanted in a corruption-linked case. He was subsequently handed over to the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Imphal.
According to police, Kaoni has been charge-sheeted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly using forged and fabricated legal documents. A non-bailable warrant (NBW) had been issued against him by the Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI, Patna, and he had been declared a proclaimed offender after allegedly evading investigation and trial.
Drug Trafficker Nabbed, 389 Grams of Heroin Seized
In a separate anti-narcotics operation, Manipur Police arrested a woman drug trafficker identified as Leila (30) from her locality under Lilong Police Station in Thoubal district. Police seized 389 grams of heroin packed in 10 soap cases from her possession.
This comes amid Manipur's persistent challenge with drug trafficking along its porous borders, with the state serving as a key transit corridor for narcotics originating in the 'Golden Triangle' region.
Security Grid Tightened Across Valley and Hills
Security forces comprising Central and state agencies have continued extensive search operations and area domination exercises in fringe, mixed-populated, and vulnerable areas across the state. A total of 112 nakas and checkpoints have been established across both valley and hill districts to curb militant movement and intercept suspicious vehicles.
Forces have also been providing escorts to vehicles — including trucks carrying essential commodities — along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), with strict convoy protection at vulnerable stretches. The Manipur Police have urged the public to disregard rumours and remain alert to misinformation and fake videos circulating on social media.
Point of View
KYKL, and UKNA — in a single 24-hour window is operationally significant, suggesting improved intelligence-sharing between Central and state agencies in Manipur. However, the capture of a UKNA Finance Head points to a deeper concern: insurgent groups in the state have developed structured financial hierarchies, making them harder to dismantle through arrests alone. The heroin seizure in Thoubal adds another layer — Manipur's ethnic conflict and its narcotics economy are not separate problems, and security strategies that treat them as such risk missing the structural link. With 112 checkpoints active and NH-37 under escort, the state is in a sustained high-alert posture, but ground-level normalcy remains distant.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the four militants arrested in Manipur on 24 July?
The four militants belong to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), and United Kuki National Army (UKNA). Among them, Mayanglambam Tomba Singh alias Lakpa (39) of KYKL was found with a 9mm pistol and 11 live rounds, while S. Palal Kuki alias Lalboi Singson served as UKNA's Finance Head.
What drugs were seized in the Manipur anti-narcotics operation?
Police seized 389 grams of heroin packed in 10 soap cases from a woman drug trafficker identified as Leila (30), arrested from Lilong Police Station area in Thoubal district.
Who is T.H. Kaoni and why was he arrested?
T.H. Kaoni is a proclaimed offender wanted by the CBI, Patna, in a case involving allegedly forged and fabricated legal documents under various IPC sections. He was detained by Manipur Police at the CBI's request and handed over to the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Imphal.
How many checkpoints are currently active in Manipur?
A total of 112 nakas and checkpoints have been established across both valley and hill districts of Manipur to curb militant movement and intercept suspicious vehicles.
What security arrangements are in place on NH-37 in Manipur?
Security forces are providing escorts to vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Strict convoy protection is being maintained at vulnerable stretches to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement.
