Imphal, Dec 9 (NationPress) Security forces in Manipur have detained five militants affiliated with two outlawed extremist groups in the Imphal West district, recovering a cache of arms and ammunition, as reported on Tuesday.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the five individuals, part of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and Socialist Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (SOREPA), were apprehended at various sites in the Imphal West area within the last 24 hours.

These militants, aged between 23 and 41, were reportedly involved in coercively collecting subscriptions from government officials, contractors, traders, and ordinary citizens.

Authorities recovered a vehicle, a two-wheeler, counterfeit identity cards, seven mobile devices, various items, and approximately Rs 4 lakh in cash from the suspects. In total, 23 militants from seven banned organizations have been arrested in the last three days across five districts in the Imphal valley.

The majority of these insurgents were apprehended in the Imphal West district, where security forces also seized additional arms and ammunition.

The recovered items include two single-barrel guns, a stun grenade, a smoke grenade, a 36-HE grenade (without a detonator), an empty magazine for an SMG (Carbine), five 7.62 mm AK series rifle rounds, fourteen 5.56 mm INSAS rounds, five .303 rounds, two Baofeng radio sets with chargers, thirty 7.62 mm SLR rounds, three helmets, and two 16 mm cartridge signals.

Security teams, consisting of both central and state forces, are actively conducting extensive operations against militants, with ongoing search missions and area surveillance in mixed-population and vulnerable regions.

A total of 113 checkpoints have been established throughout Manipur, covering both valley and hill districts, to combat the illegal movement of hostile elements and suspicious vehicles.

Security forces are also providing escorts for vehicles, including trucks delivering essential goods, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Strict security measures and convoy protections are in place in sensitive areas to ensure safe passage for vehicles. The Manipur Police have advised the public to remain cautious of rumors and verify any dubious videos circulating online.

"The authenticity of any unfounded videos or audio clips can be validated through the Central Control Room. Disseminating and circulating false posts on social media will result in legal consequences," warned a police communiqué.

The Manipur Police have urged anyone with information to return the stolen arms, ammunition, and explosives to law enforcement or the nearest security unit.

Reports from various political parties indicate that during the ethnic riots that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, over 6,000 sophisticated weapons and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition were looted from police facilities by mobs, perpetrators, and militants.

In response to the state government's call, a significant number of looted and illegally held weapons, along with a large stockpile of ammunition, have been returned to security forces.