The Aryavarth Express
Imphal, Manipur:
Manipur Police and security forces conducted multiple operations across the state on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of a drug dealer, the detention of an active cadre of a banned militant outfit, and the recovery of a large cache of arms and explosives.
According to an official release, police arrested a drug dealer identified as Baseimayum Yaibi (47) from Porompat Pangal Leirak under Porompat Police Station in Imphal East district. During the operation, seven soap cases containing heroin were seized from his possession.
In another operation, police arrested an active cadre of the proscribed outfit PREPAK (PRO). The accused, Thangjam Priyobarta Singh alias Yokkhatpa (35), a resident of Kumbi Mayai Leikai Ward No. 6 under Kumbi Police Station in Bishnupur district, was apprehended from his residence.
Meanwhile, security forces recovered a significant quantity of arms, ammunition, and explosives from the Moltinchan Village area under Sugnu Police Station in Kakching district. The recovered items include an SLR without a magazine, a locally made bolt-action sniper rifle with an empty magazine, a double-barrel breech-loading gun, a single-barrel breech-loading gun, and a locally made pistol with an empty magazine.
Explosives and ammunition seized during the operation include one high-explosive hand grenade without a detonator, an empty 7.62 mm LMG magazine, three tube launchers, 15 rounds of SLR ammunition, five stun shells, and one 51 mm high-explosive bomb.
Earlier last week, security forces arrested four extortionists linked to banned insurgent groups UNLF (PAMBEI) and SOREPA during coordinated raids across Imphal West district. Operations conducted under Sekmai, Lamphal, and Patsoi police stations led to multiple arrests and the seizure of incriminating materials, dealing a major blow to extortion networks operating in the region.
In one such operation near Keystone Infra Pvt Ltd at Awang Wabagai under Sekmai Police Station, two active cadres of UNLF (PAMBEI) were arrested. They were identified as Ningthoujam Nongpoknganba Meitei (31) of Imphal East district and Konthoujam Nelson Singh Thomba (23) of Imphal West district.
Security forces seized a Maruti Swift car, four mobile phones, a sling bag, and two ID cards from their possession. Authorities said the duo had been involved in extorting money from local businesses and contractors and were arrested following sustained intelligence-based surveillance.
