Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Security forces in Manipur arrested several insurgents belonging to the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA), the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF/PLA), the political wing of the outlawed People’s Liberation Army, and the banned Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group (KCP-PWG) during coordinated operations.
The arrests were made during anti-insurgency operations conducted over the past 36 hours, the Manipur Police said.
Meanwhile, the Reformist Students’ Front (RSF) demanded the revocation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, citing civilian casualties.
In the first operation, security forces arrested a juvenile cadre of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA) from Songpi in Churachandpur district.
The UKNA operates as a non-SoO militant group.
In separate operations, security forces rescued a juvenile and arrested three individuals, including two cadres of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF/PLA), the political wing of the outlawed People’s Liberation Army.
The arrested RPF/PLA members were identified as self-styled Lt. Col. Sarangthem Jayenta Meetei alias Bicky alias Wanglen (48) and cadre RK Solomon Singh alias Amon (51).
Meetei was apprehended at Kongba Bazar in Imphal East, while Solomon was arrested in Imphal West along with an associate, Thangmeishang Kasar (32). Police said the two were attempting to recruit the rescued juvenile.
Additionally, security forces arrested Wangkhem Premjit Singh alias Kamcha alias Ibomcha (46) from his residence at Luker Mayai Leikai in Imphal West. Singh has been identified as a self-styled captain and an active extortionist for the banned KCP-PWG.
Meanwhile, the Reformist Students’ Front (RSF) issued a statement urging the government to scrap the SoO agreement, alleging that Kuki militant organisations have violated the ground rules amid the ongoing conflict.
The RSF claimed that the KNF(P) was involved in the recent abduction and killing of six Naga men and demanded the arrest of KNF(P) leader Thangboi Kipgen.
The student body also called for the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen on moral grounds, the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles over allegations of partiality, and the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Manipur using 1951 as the base year.