In a significant development in Manipur over the past 48 hours, security forces have arrested nine militants, including a juvenile, affiliated with various banned underground outfits operating in the northeastern state. The arrests were carried out from multiple locations across the state and are linked to a range of criminal activities, including extortion and illegal operations, with one arrest connected to a prior explosion case in Imphal West. These actions underscore the continuing efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb insurgent activities and restore peace in the sensitive regions of Manipur, which has long grappled with militancy and underground political violence.

According to police reports, the arrested militants belong to four separate groups: the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), the Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army (RPF/PLA), and two factions of the Kangleipak Communist Party, namely KCP–People’s War Group (PWG) and KCP–Ibungo Ngangom. Among the arrested, five cadres belonged to RPF/PLA, including a juvenile, two were from PREPAK, and one each from the KCP factions. These arrests were the result of coordinated operations by joint security forces comprising police, paramilitary units, and other intelligence agencies working to dismantle underground networks that have long been involved in destabilizing activities across the state.

PREPAK, which has been active in Manipur for decades, is notorious for extortion, illegal arms activities, and attacks on law enforcement and rival groups. The two active PREPAK cadres were apprehended from the Imphal West and Bishnupur districts. The first individual, identified as Pebam Nikesh, also known by aliases Nanao, Mitlang, and Polrel, is 28 years old and hails from Kwakeithel Mayal Kolbl Ningthoujam Leikai. The second, Oinam Maipak Meitei, aged 48, was arrested from Thanga Chingkha Khwalrakpam Leikai in Bishnupur district. The arrests were conducted at their respective residences, demonstrating the security forces’ ability to precisely track and apprehend key operatives within these underground networks.

In parallel, operations targeting the RPF/PLA led to the detention of five active cadres. On Saturday, two RPF/PLA members were arrested from Imphal West district. Vishal Achom, 24, also known as Nanao or Momosana, was taken into custody from Sagolband Moirang Leirak, while Maibam Rocky, alias Thembung, aged 38, was apprehended from Sagolband Mabudhou Mantri Leikai. During searches of their residences, police seized a range of incriminating items, including a .32 caliber pistol with a loaded magazine, one improvised explosive device (IED) equipped with a detonator, two mobile handsets, and two Aadhaar cards. These seizures indicate the level of preparedness and capability of these militant operatives to carry out criminal and insurgent-related acts within the valley districts.

Additionally, three more RPF/PLA cadres were apprehended on Friday, including a juvenile, from different locations in Imphal. Wangkhem Reeshav Singh, 22, known by the alias Bihari, was arrested near Minuthong, while Poireisana Yumnam, alias Poirei, aged 24, was taken into custody from his residence in Top Awang Leikai, Imphal East district. The inclusion of a juvenile among those arrested highlights concerns regarding the recruitment of minors by insurgent groups, a long-standing challenge in northeastern India where underground organizations often exploit vulnerable youth to sustain their operations.

The joint operations also extended to the KCP factions, which are known for their clandestine activities and violent insurgency tactics. Urikhinbam Malemnganba Meitei, 31, also called Watemba, from Jiribam Gulathon, was arrested from his residence in Thongju Part-II near Kono Khongnang Khong, Imphal West district. Similarly, Ronaldo Maibam, 25, of Hiyanglam Awang Leikai in Kakching district, affiliated with the KCP (Ibungo Ngangom) faction, was apprehended from his residence. Police stated that the KCP (Ibungo Ngangom) cadre was arrested in connection with a previous explosion case in Lamdeng Khunou, Imphal West, which had remained under investigation for some time.

A senior police officer, briefing the media, confirmed that all nine individuals were arrested for their involvement in extortion and other criminal activities. The KCP cadre’s link to an old explosion case underscores the continuity of underground militant activities and the persistent threats posed by these groups in the valley districts of Manipur. “All the arrested are being interrogated to trace their links with other members of the banned outfits and to ascertain their roles in recent insurgent-related activities in the valley districts of Manipur,” the officer said, emphasizing the ongoing nature of security operations and the intelligence-driven approach to tackling militancy.

The arrests come amid a heightened security environment in Manipur, where insurgent and banned groups have historically been involved in extortion, illegal arms trade, targeted killings, and attacks on both civilians and law enforcement personnel. Authorities have intensified operations in response to intelligence inputs and community complaints about extortion and intimidation by these groups. Law enforcement agencies are working to dismantle the infrastructure of underground networks, including their recruitment pipelines, logistical support, and operational planning mechanisms.

In recent years, the northeastern state has witnessed a spate of incidents involving armed factions attempting to exert influence over local communities and political processes. These militant outfits exploit socio-economic vulnerabilities, geographic remoteness, and historical grievances to maintain their foothold. The involvement of juveniles in such activities remains a particularly concerning trend, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions that combine law enforcement, community engagement, and rehabilitation programs to prevent the exploitation of minors.

The coordinated operations over the past two days reflect the proactive stance of the Manipur police and security forces in addressing the complex insurgency and criminal ecosystem within the state. By targeting operatives across multiple districts and factions, the security apparatus aims not only to neutralize immediate threats but also to gather actionable intelligence that could lead to the disruption of larger networks. Items recovered during these operations, such as firearms, explosives, and communication devices, are being analyzed to uncover connections and plot structures, which can inform future counter-insurgency strategies.

Authorities also emphasized that these arrests were part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety of civilians and maintain law and order during a period of ongoing insurgent activity. Public cooperation, intelligence sharing, and vigilance remain critical components of the government’s approach to curbing underground criminal networks in the region. Officials stated that further investigations are ongoing, and more arrests may follow as the security forces continue to dismantle the organizational hierarchies of these banned groups.

The arrests of these nine militants, including a juvenile, signal a major law enforcement achievement in Manipur’s ongoing battle against insurgency. By apprehending active cadres from multiple banned outfits, including PREPAK, RPF/PLA, and KCP factions, authorities have demonstrated their commitment to tackling extortion, violent activities, and the recruitment of minors by militant organizations. The coordinated nature of the operation, spanning multiple districts and involving sophisticated intelligence-gathering and operational planning, underscores the seriousness with which the state and central security agencies approach insurgency threats.

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to probe further into the roles of the arrested individuals, their connections with other operatives, and their involvement in ongoing criminal and insurgent-related activities. The security establishment remains vigilant, with the goal of ensuring that communities in Manipur’s valley districts can live without fear of intimidation or violence. These efforts are part of a long-term strategy to restore peace, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen governance in a region historically affected by militant activity and underground political violence.

In conclusion, the arrests of nine militants over the past 48 hours reflect the ongoing challenge of insurgency and underground criminal networks in Manipur. These operations, involving coordination among multiple security agencies and careful intelligence gathering, highlight the state’s proactive approach in addressing threats posed by armed factions. With continued investigations, law enforcement aims not only to bring the arrested individuals to justice but also to dismantle broader networks that have historically undermined peace and stability in Manipur. The outcome of these efforts will play a crucial role in ensuring security, protecting civilians, and reinforcing the rule of law in the state’s sensitive districts.