Imphal— In a major setback for insurgent groups active in Manipur, an operation by the Indian Army in collaboration with the state police resulted in the detention of 11 rebels belonging to several militant groups in three districts on Thursday. The raid, which was carried out in Imphal West, Imphal East, and Thoubal, also saw arms, vehicles, communication equipment, and incriminating material seized.The raid is a sign of the persistence of security threats in the northeast state, which shares sensitive global borders and has been plagued by militancy and ethnic disturbances for decades.
According to official sources, the persons arrested are associated with a number of banned groups such as Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Noyol group), United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak), KCP (People’s War Group), Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (Socialist Revolutionary Party), KYKL, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and KCP (City Meitei). The militants are aged between 24 and 49 years and are charged with extortion activities against businesses, transporters, schools, and even government offices.
Security forces seized a .32 pistol with four live rounds, three two-wheelers that are presumed to have been used for operational mobility, 11 mobile phones with functional SIM cards, ₹2,400 in cash, and some documents that are assumed to have carried sensitive operational details. The confiscated materials are likely to yield clues on the larger network of insurgent operations in the area.The arrests follow the recent move by the central government to extend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) over the whole state of Manipur.
The AFSPA extension till April 1, 2025, for six months identifies the state as a ‘disturbed area’ — a measure that gives armed forces greater powers to operate and arrest people in the absence of prior warrants.But the Ministry of Home Affairs has made exceptions to exclude some jurisdictions of police stations in five districts from the reach of AFSPA, in line with efforts at gradually normalizing law and order in relatively quiet areas.Human rights activists have long accused AFSPA of alleged abuse and insensitivity to human rights, while security forces say the law remains essential in the conduct of counterinsurgency operations in high-risk areas such as Manipur.
Thursday’s arrests are being celebrated by officials as a major success of operations and a stride towards reestablishing peace in the beleaguered area.Authorities reiterated their pledge to uphold intense vigilance and making firm action against forces menacing the stability of the state.
As tensions continue amid ongoing ethnic and political unrest, such operations are expected to continue in the coming weeks.With security forces on high alert and the state administration working closely with central agencies, Manipur remains under a tight security blanket aimed at dismantling insurgent infrastructures and preventing any further escalation of violence..
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