Security forces in Manipur arrested seven militants linked to banned insurgent groups during search operations on June 18 and 19, 2025, police said on Friday.
This has happened while ethnic tensions in the state continue, which have seen deadly clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023. The violence caused by these issues has left over 260 dead and thousands displaced.
Militants from Multiple Banned Groups Held Across Four Districts
The arrests took place on June 18 and 19 across four districts, namely Imphal West, Tengnoupal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. This was done as part of an intensified operation targeting insurgent activity near the Indo-Myanmar border.
On 19.06.2025, Manipur Police arrested 02 (two) active cadres of RPF/PLA from Wangoi Bazar under Wangoi-PS, Imphal West District. They are identified as:-
i) Leimapokpam Somendro Singh (47) of Leimapokpam Awang Leikai, Bishnupur District and
ii) Tayenjam Haridas (44) of… pic.twitter.com/1hhrFtNOpi— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 19, 2025
Two active members of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were arrested in Imphal West district from Wangoi Bazar.
The central forces also detained two individuals near border pillar 87 in the Tengnoupal district. One was affiliated with the United National Liberation Front (Koireng) and the other with PREPAK (Pro). “The central force arrested a cadre each belonging to UNLF (K) and PREPAK (Pro) from the Indo-Myanmar Border on June 19, 2025,” officials confirmed.
In Kakching district, an operative of the banned KCP (PWG) was caught in the Sekmaijing Khunou area. According to police, the individual had been involved in extortion across the valley region.
Search Ops Continue as Ethnic Violence Fuels Security Crackdown
A female cadre of KCP (PSC) was arrested from Phaknung Thongkhong in Imphal East district on Wednesday. Another member of the outlawed Prepak outfit was arrested from Kwakta Terakhongshangbi Bazar in Bishnupur district. Authorities said he was also linked to extortion activities. Arms and ammunition were recovered from his house during the raid.
The crackdown follows a string of coordinated search operations across Manipur, which has remained tense since the outbreak of ethnic clashes in May 2023. Authorities have since continued such operations to maintain peace and order in Manipur.
