Security forces arrested nine people, including three militants belonging to different groups, from multiple locations in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, and seized arms and ammunition, police said on Saturday.
Police officers said a cadre of the Kuki National Army-Burma faction, identified as Lalthangjoon (38) from Khuminthang village in Churachandpur, was arrested in Zhu Vieng on Thursday. He was in possession of a 9mm Hog 9 pistol, a magazine, seven live 9mm rounds of ammunition and a cell phone.
Tangkhul Naga bodies, including the Tangkul Azi Katamnao Long (Tangkhul Students Union), alleged Afghan National Army involvement in the attack on four Naga-inhabited villages in Kamjong district bordering Myanmar on May 7. The students’ union also claimed that about 100 ANA militants crossed the international border from the Myanmar side and targeted four Tangkhul Naga villages, namely Nameli, Wangli and Ashang Kholin (Kaka). And aloyo (choro).
Local Liberation Army in Kamjong District Naga People’s Front legislator Lishu Kishing said on Thursday that there was involvement in “foreign aggression” during the attack on the four villages. The Manipur unit of the NPP also made a similar allegation on Friday.
A 33-year-old active women cadre of the banned People’s Revolutionary Party Kangleipak (PREPAK) was also arrested on Thursday from Wangkhi Kunung Mamang in Imphal East.
The cadre has been identified as Kunsam Thuy Devi alias Nanaw alias Naobi from Thangmibandh Sinam Likai in Imphal West. She was staying in Kherjao Lirak prison in Imphal East.
In addition, a 38-year-old active cadre of another banned underground outfit, the Kangli Yaul Kana Loop (SOREPA) faction, and Hwidrum Narendra Singh alias Bathu alias Apong alias Lucky of Hyanglam and Ikum Likkai, were arrested from Hiangthang in Imphal West on Thursday.
Meanwhile, police said in a statement that two extortionists – Thangamang Hokip (43) from Pangmul Village and an 18-year-old juvenile, both from Kangpokpi District – were caught red-handed while stopping trucks in Pangmul Village in Kangpokpi District and extorting money.
Security forces, while conducting searches and searches at multiple locations across the state, also arrested four drug peddlers from two different locations in Churachandpur and Senapati districts.
Nehkholun Hangshing (45) of K. Sharonphai village, Churachandpur, was arrested from Churachandpur district along with 188 soap packets weighing 1,360 kg of brown sugar. Three others, including a couple from Saikul Bazaar in Kangbukpi district, were arrested from T. Khulin (checkpoint), Senapati district, along with 99 packets of brown sugar soap weighing 1,140 kg. Cash worth $30,300 were also recovered from their possession.
