Security forces in Manipur have arrested five militants belonging to three proscribed outfits from Bishnupur, Imphal West, and Imphal East districts for extortion and possession of illegal arms, police said on Monday.
According to officials, an active cadre of the banned UNLF (Pambei) was arrested from Toubul Mayai Leikai in Bishnupur district on Saturday.
Identified as Thoudam Bobby Singh, 50, he was found in possession of one .303 rifle with magazines, five magazines of different rifles, one hand grenade, 501 live rounds of ammunition of various calibres, and other items, police said.
The UNLF(P) signed a peace pact with the Centre in 2023. However, its cadres have continued to be arrested for extortion, possession of illegal arms, and other criminal activities, officials said.
On Sunday, four more militants were apprehended from different parts of the state. They included two members of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (City Meitei) and one each from the KCP (PWG) and the KCP (Ibungo Ngangom group), police said.
“These militant outfits have been involved in large-scale extortion,” police said, prompting the state to set up an integrated anti-extortion cell comprising the Central Armed Police Force, state police, the Army, and the Assam Rifles.
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