Eight militants including 2 top leaders arrested in Manipur, arms cache seized
Security forces in Manipur have arrested eight militants, including two senior extremist leaders belonging to banned outfits, and recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, officials said on Tuesday, 12 May. The arrests were carried out across multiple districts in a coordinated intelligence-based operation.
Key Arrests and Identities
Among those detained are Vincent Pumjamang Taithul (40), the self-styled Commander-in-Chief of the Zogam Liberation Front (ZLF), and Khumbongmayum Ananda Meitei alias Lamphel alias Ibomcha (53), a self-styled advisor of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP). The remaining six militants were arrested from various districts, including Churachandpur, Imphal West, Kakching, and Imphal East.
Additionally, four members of the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA) and its sister outfit, the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), were apprehended from the Lamlai police station area under Imphal East district, according to police officials.
Arms Recovered and Youths Rescued
Security forces recovered several sophisticated weapons, a large cache of ammunition, incriminating documents, and mobile phones from the arrested militants. Notably, three youths who had reportedly been coerced and detained by the PLA/RPF militants for forcible recruitment into the proscribed outfit were also rescued during the operations.
Ongoing Security Operations Across Manipur
Intelligence-based combing, cordon, and search operations are being conducted extensively across multiple districts to apprehend individuals involved in kidnapping, extortion, and other unlawful activities. Area domination exercises are being carried out by both Central and state security forces in fringe, mixed-population, and vulnerable areas spanning the Imphal valley and mountainous districts.
To curb the movement of illegal elements and suspicious vehicles, a total of 114 nakas (checkpoints) have been established across both valley and hill districts of Manipur. Security personnel are also providing convoy escorts to vehicles — including trucks transporting foodgrain and essential commodities — along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).
Police Advisory on Fake News
Manipur Police have separately urged the public to exercise caution regarding rumours and fake videos circulating on social media. In an official statement, police warned:
