What’s Happening with Counterinsurgency Operations in Manipur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ten militants arrested in a joint operation by security forces.
- Operations took place across six districts in Manipur.
- Significant items including arms and ammunition recovered.
- Authorities caution against spreading false information.
- Community urged to return looted weapons immediately.
Imphal, July 24 (NationPress) In a significant crackdown, joint central and state forces have apprehended ten militants affiliated with various prohibited groups within the last 24 hours, ramping up their counterinsurgency efforts to combat armed extremism. A high-ranking police official confirmed that the apprehended militants hail from different districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kakching, Tengnoupal, and Tamenglong, and are linked to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Among the ten militants, active members from both PREPAK and PLA were detained in the Tengnoupal district, which borders Myanmar without a fence. Authorities recovered a range of items from the detainees, including mobile phones, various documents, firearms, ammunition, and a substantial amount of Indian currency.
The police statement highlighted that teams consisting of the Manipur Police, Army, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are actively conducting search operations across both valley and mountainous terrains.
In related news, no arrests have been made related to a fratricide incident that occurred on July 22 in the Noney district, where a violent confrontation resulted in the deaths of at least five militants from a single group. This gunfight took place among members of the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA), which has not engaged in any Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the government.
The Manipur Police have reiterated their warning against the dissemination of false information and misleading videos, urging the public to remain cautious and verify any suspicious content through the Central Control Room.
Authorities have cautioned that sharing or posting such misleading information online could lead to legal repercussions. They have also appealed to the community to return any looted weapons, ammunition, and explosives to law enforcement or the nearest security entities promptly.