Four militants from two banned outfits were arrested in Manipur for illegal possession of firearms and involvement in extortion, police said Saturday.
Three members of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Peoples’ War Group) were detained Thursday on charges of possessing firearms and extorting locals, authorities said, PTI reported.
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The suspects were identified as Chongtham Shyamchandra Singh, 23, of Imphal West district, and Maibam Suraj Khan, 32, and Boghimayum Sahid Khan, 30, both from Imphal East district. Police recovered three 5.56 mm INSAS live cartridges, an empty .32-caliber shell, and three mobile phones during the arrest.
In a separate incident, a militant linked to the banned United National Liberation Front (Ningon Macha group) was apprehended Thursday for illegal possession of a firearm. The individual, identified as Sangomshumpham Warish, 25, from Lilong Haorou in Thoubal district, was found with a .32-caliber pistol and ammunition, police said.
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Security forces also conducted an area domination exercise in S Mongpi ridge, Kangpokpi district, on Thursday, leading to the seizure of multiple arms and ammunition.
The items recovered included a .303 rifle, a 9mm pistol, two single-barrel breach-loading (SBBL) guns, an INSAS LMG magazine, two hand grenades, two detonators, 16 cartridges, and three tear smoke grenades, officials said.