Suspected Kuki National Army cadres in Churachandpur with weapons.
Credit: Assam Rifles.
Guwahati: Intensifying operations after imposition of President's Rule, security forces in strife-torn Manipur recovered 15 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and arrested at least 16 insurgents, both in Valley and in Kuki-dominated hill districts, on Friday and Saturday.
In a statement, Manipur Police said 15 IEDs, two improvised long range mortars, one 9mm pistol and ammuntions were recovered from Senam village in Kuki-dominated Tengnoupal district on Friday.
In Churachandpur, another Kuki-dominated district, the forces arrested seven suspected members of insurgent group, Kuki National Group (KNA) from Old Khaukual village under Sangaikot Police station. They recovered two AK 47 rifles, one 7.62 assault rifle, beside others weapons from them.
The arrested persons are Seikhogin Haokip, Ngamlenmang Mate, Seikhomang Haokip, Thanglelmang Haokip, Jamkhosei Haokip, Lhunkholal Khongsai and Mangkhangthang Kipgen.
The KIA is one of the insurgent groups, which is in suspension of operations agreement with the government for long.
The forces also dismantled "volunteer check posts" put up by Kuki "volunteers" on NH-2 at Kaprang and S. Kwatlian village in Churachandpur district. Visitors were forced to take "travel pass" in the "check posts" by paying Rs. 100 per person. "These posts had come into existence since the beginning of the conflict and were no longer required as security situation has improved considerably. Security Forces have taken over these locations and free movement of common vehicles is being ensured," Police said in the statement.
Arrests in the Valley:
The security forces also arrested at least four cadres of KCP (PWG group), a Valley-based insurgent group, including two women from Huikap village in Meitei-dominated Imphal East district and five others in Thoubal, another Meitei-dominated dis. The cadres were involved on extortion and transportation of weapons, police said. The arrested persons were identified as Chaphamayum Sunder Singh, Nongthombam Boinao Meitei, Leichongbam Ibesana Devi and Maibam Tony Chanu. Two 9mm pistols and ammuntions were seized from the possession. A cadre of PREPAK (PRO), another valley-based insurgent group was also arrested in Bishnupur district, police said.
The security forces intensified drive against weapons, which are in possessing of the communities, both in the Valley and in the hills. Sources said after the President's Rule was imposed on Thursday, the forces were instructed to "de-arm the communities" within three months as part of the Centre's efforts to restore peace in Manipur. More than 6,000 weapons were looted from armouries in May in the valley but half of those have still remained missing.
More than 260 people have been killed and over 60,000 others have been displaced due to the conflict involving the Meitei and the Kuki community since May 2023. The President's Rule was imposed on Thursday, four days after CM N. Biren Singh resigned.