Manipur Crackdown: Eleven Insurgents Arrested, Arms and Explosives Seized Amid Fresh Security Push
In a significant breakthrough in counter-insurgency operations, eleven insurgents linked to various militant outfits were arrested across three districts of Manipur in the past 24 hours, officials confirmed on Sunday. The arrests come amid intensified joint operations by the Indian Army, Central paramilitary forces, and Manipur Police, following a high-level security meeting between top military commanders and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
The crackdown, which spanned volatile regions of Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Kakching, was part of renewed efforts to stabilize the violence-hit northeastern state. Manipur has been reeling from a series of ethnic and insurgency-related disturbances over the past year, prompting sustained counter-insurgency efforts.
Top Military Brass Reviews Ground Situation
On Friday, April 18, three of the Indian Army’s top officers—Lt. Gen. Ram Chander Tiwari, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Eastern Command; Lt. Gen. Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC, Spear Corps; and Major General Ravroop Singh, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South)—met with Governor Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal to discuss the prevailing law and order situation.
According to Raj Bhavan sources, the commanders briefed the Governor on both the security challenges and the operational strategies in place across Manipur and other northeastern states. Shortly after the meeting, joint forces intensified area domination and search operations in insurgency-prone areas of both the valley and hill districts.
A defence spokesperson stated that the joint operations are focused on “clearing pockets of militant presence” and “restoring normalcy in the affected zones through precise and intelligence-led actions.”
Multiple Arrests and Recoveries
A senior Manipur Police officer revealed that the eleven arrested insurgents belonged to five outlawed outfits, namely:
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Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)
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United National Liberation Front (UNLF)
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People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK)
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United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK)
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Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL)
Of the total arrests, nine were from Imphal East, while one each was apprehended from Bishnupur and Kakching districts. The detainees are believed to have been actively involved in extortion rackets, targeting government employees, contractors, businesses, and even common civilians.
From their possession, the forces recovered a cache of arms and explosives, including pistols, high-powered grenades, and ammunition. Authorities also seized:
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Multiple mobile phones
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Two-wheelers used for operational movements
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Aadhaar and ID cards
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A large volume of incriminating documents, including extortion notes and operational plans
Drive Against Stolen Vehicles Also Yields Results
Alongside the militant crackdown, Manipur Police also launched a special drive to recover stolen and snatched vehicles used by anti-social elements and attackers. The operation resulted in the recovery of four stolen cars from different locations across the valley districts.
A Coordinated Security Approach
Officials said the current security push reflects a coordinated approach to tackle not only the insurgent networks but also the broader ecosystem of organized crime in the state, which includes arms trafficking, illegal taxation, and militant funding.
“Operations are being carried out with pinpoint intelligence, and we are determined to neutralize both urban and rural militant presence,” said a senior police officer involved in the operation.
Public Vigilance Encouraged
The Manipur Police has also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their localities, especially regarding abandoned vehicles, unclaimed baggage, or the sudden appearance of strangers. Authorities believe that insurgent groups are attempting to regroup in small cells and rely on local logistical support to sustain operations.
Backdrop of Ongoing Unrest
The arrests and operations come amid ongoing tensions in Manipur, where ethnic unrest and insurgency-related incidents have disrupted life, led to mass displacement, and shaken civilian confidence in recent months. With over 70 insurgents arrested in the past few weeks, security forces are now working toward consolidating gains and ensuring long-term peace.
As the state braces for more sweeping actions, officials indicate that this is only the beginning of a long-term counter-insurgency plan, aimed not only at arrests but also at breaking the chain of support for insurgent networks operating across the Indo-Myanmar border region.
