Security forces in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Sunday arrested four active cadres of outfits such as the UNLF (Pambei) and SOREPA and accused of extortion from separate locations of the state, official sources informed. According to state police, security forces arrested two extortionists linked to UNLF (Pambei) from near Keystone Infra Pvt Ltd, Awang Wabagai under Sekmai police station in Imphal West district. The arrested persons have been identified as Ningthoujam Nongpoknganba Meitei (31) of Soibam Leikai Ayangpalli Road, Imphal East district and Konthoujam Nelson Singh alias Thomba (23) of Lambal Sabal Leikai in Imphal West district.
A Maruti Swift vehicle along with four mobile phones, a sling bag and two identity cards were seized from their possession. UNLF (Pambei) had previously entered into a peace pact with the Centre in 2023. However, some members continue to be involved in unlawful actions. In separate operations on Sunday, security forces arrested two extortionists who are active cadres of SOREPA from different locations of Imphal West district under Lamphel police station. The arrested persons have been identified as Chungkham Nanao Macha alias Mitlang (24) of Red Cross Road Hill Town in Churachandpur district, who was arrested from Ningthemkol area, and Arambam Thoithoi Singh (41) of Khurai Nandeibam Leikai in Imphal East district, who was arrested from Changangei area near the entrance gate of Imphal Airport.
A two-wheeler, cash amounting Rs 3,90,500, three mobile handsets and two Aadhaar cards were seized from their possession.
Meanwhile, security forces, during a search operation on Sunday, recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Ngairangbam Mayai Lambi Loukon under Patsoi police station in Imphal West district.
The recovered arms include two single barrel guns, one stun grenade, one smoke grenade, one 36-HE grenade without detonator, one SMG (Carbine) empty magazine, fifty-four rounds of ammunition and two radio sets.
