Imphal: Security forces arrested an alleged active cadre of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF-Koireng) in Imphal West district on Sunday, while a separate operation in Churachandpur led to the recovery of arms and ammunition.
According to police, security personnel apprehended a suspected UNLF-Koireng cadre from the RIMS Road area of Imphal West on Sunday morning. The individual was identified as 45-year-old Ngangom Shanta Meitei, alias Michael, a resident of Loushangkhong Awang Leikai in Imphal East district.
In a separate development, the Koireng-led UNLF denied having any association with Konsam Sanatomba, 44, who was arrested by police on August 9 over alleged extortion attempts targeting non-Manipuri residents.
In a statement issued by its publicity secretary M. Sak Hen, the outfit said Sanatomba, a resident of Lamlong in Imphal East, had been arrested at Telepati. The UNLF maintained that neither the organisation nor its armed wing, the Manipur People’s Army (MPA), had any connection with him.
The outfit also warned that strict action would be taken against individuals allegedly using the name of the UNLF or MPA to carry out extortion or other illegal activities.
Meanwhile, an India Reserve Battalion patrol recovered a cache of weapons and communication equipment from the Sehken-Khuga Dam area in Churachandpur district.
The recovered items included:
- One locally made single-barrel gun
- One locally made SMC carbine
- One locally made .32 pistol
- Six live rounds of .32 ammunition
- Two Baofeng handheld communication sets
- One improvised mortar, locally known as a Pumpi
The arrest and recovery were reported as part of separate security operations in Imphal West and Churachandpur districts.