Imphal, Jan 21 || Security forces in Manipur have arrested seven hardcore militants belonging to different outfits, including a cadre of the NSCN (IM), and busted an inter-state vehicle theft racket during the past 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.
A senior police official said that seven of the arrested militants belonged to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM).
The extremists were arrested from Imphal East and Imphal West districts, and several mobile phones and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession.
The Manipur Police also arrested an active cadre of the NSCN(IM), identified as Lanhungba Khumba (29), from the Mantripukhri area in Imphal East district. From his possession, one .32 pistol with a magazine loaded with four live rounds, two mobile phones, a charger, and a two-wheeler without a registration number were recovered.
The arrested militants were involved in extorting money from contractors, traders, government employees, and other people, the official said.