Manipur: Two minor girls saved from militant recruitment, 7 extremists apprehended
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Synopsis
On March 11, authorities in Manipur announced the rescue of two minor girls from militant recruitment and the arrest of seven extremists tied to various militant outfits during ongoing operations in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Two minor girls rescued from militant outfit recruitment.
- Seven extremists apprehended in various districts.
- PLA involved in recruiting minors.
- Normal life disrupted due to an indefinite shutdown.
- Authorities aim to restore normalcy in affected areas.
Imphal, March 11 (NationPress) Authorities reported the rescue of two minor girls, who were allegedly recruited by a militant outfit, from the Kakching bazar area in the Kakching district and the Wangbal Laikon area in the Thoubal district of Manipur on Tuesday.
A police spokesperson stated that the girls were rescued during a search operation conducted on Monday.
Additionally, two active members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were apprehended in the Kakching Bazar area. The individuals were identified as Moirangthem Romen Singh (23) and Nongmaithem Mohendro Singh (54). Law enforcement recovered a two-wheeler and two mobile phones from their possession.
The police official noted that these PLA militants were implicated in the recruitment of the girls into their organization. The rescued minors have been presented to the Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee in Thoubal district for further procedures.
In separate operations, five additional militants were detained across three districts -- Bishnupur, Imphal East, and Imphal West.
The apprehended militants, affiliated with the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), were found with four grenades, a pistol, assorted ammunition, a two-wheeler, and several incriminating documents.
In another incident, the Army and Assam Rifles collaborated to dismantle a temporary camp of the banned United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in a forest near Songphu village in Churachandpur district. The camp comprised four makeshift bamboo huts.
The UKNA is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations agreement with the central government.
Meanwhile, normal activities in the Kuki-Zo regions of Manipur were disrupted for the third consecutive day on Tuesday due to an indefinite shutdown called by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the leading body of the tribals, to protest the recommencement of bus services between the state capital, Imphal, and the hill districts, as well as police actions in tribal areas on Saturday.
Tribal leaders asserted that the indefinite shutdown was fully supported and successful in Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, and Pherzawl districts.
According to a tribal leader, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) held an inconclusive meeting with government officials on Monday regarding the shutdown's withdrawal, with another meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
The COTU, part of the KZC, has been calling for the transfer of the Superintendent of Police of Kangpokpi district, the cancellation of bus services, and an official apology regarding the killing of Lalgouthang Singsit as per customary law.
On March 8, clashes in Kangpokpi and surrounding districts resulted in injuries to at least 43 individuals, including 27 security personnel, and the death of a protester, as Kuki-Zo tribal organizations protested against the resumption of bus services between Imphal and the hill districts.
The bus services were resumed on Saturday by the Manipur State Transport Corporation under police protection to mitigate public inconvenience and as part of efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
