Two KCP (PWG) Cadres Arrested in Manipur; Arms and Explosives Seized in Churachandpur
Summary
On August 6, 2025, Manipur’s security forces arrested two active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) – KCP (PWG) – in separate intelligence-led operations in Imphal West and Imphal East districts. The first, 41-year-old Leiphrakpam Herojit Meetei, was detained at his Yurembam Awang Leikai residence for allegedly extorting funds for the outfit. The second, 29-year-old Ingudum Tularanjan Meitei alias Abung, was apprehended in Ahallup Lai Haraopham for his suspected role in a doctor’s abduction for ransom in August 2024. In a parallel combing action at Gothol village in Churachandpur, police recovered an AK Ghatak rifle, two improvised mortars, four rocket bombs, and nineteen rounds of improvised mortar ammunition. Operations remain underway to curb insurgency and criminal networks in the state
The First Bust: Extortion as ‘Fundraising’
Picture this: a local shopkeeper in Imphal West wakes up to a visit from a man in plainclothes who demands “protection money.” That man could have been an extortionist for the KCP (PWG). Security forces arrested Leiphrakpam Herojit Meetei (41) at his Yurembam Awang Leikai home under Patsoi Police Station’s jurisdiction. Herojit is suspected of shaking down traders and businessmen to bankroll the cadre’s weapons and logistics. During the raid, officers recovered his mobile phone and Aadhaar card, crucial evidence linking him to multiple extortion calls. Extortion isn’t just about money—it’s a test of power and control, a way for insurgents to prove they’re the real rulers of the underworld
The Second Capture: Abduction for Ransom
If extortion is the everyday tax insurgents levy, kidnapping raises the stakes. In Imphal East, intelligence units nabbed Ingudum Tularanjan Meitei alias Abung (29) from Taothong Mamang Leikai. What set him apart? Authorities linked him to the high-profile abduction of a doctor in Lamdeng Khunou last August, where ransom demands reached into lakhs. At his Ahallup Lai Haraopham hideout, officers seized only ₹80 in cash and a voter ID, underscoring how little militants care about the details—they value leverage over luxuries. Abduction syndicates operate like dark auctions: the higher the ransom, the deeper the pockets of local elites and medical professionals fearful for colleagues’ lives
The Churachandpur Cache: A Weapons Arsenal Unveiled
While arrests make headlines, weapon seizures send shockwaves through insurgent circles. In Gothol village under Churachandpur Police Station, a cordon-and-search operation uncovered an arsenal worthy of a small brigade: an AK Ghatak rifle with an empty magazine; two improvised mortars (pumpi); four makeshift rocket bombs; and nineteen rounds of mortar ammunition. Imagine stumbling onto a roadside stash that could decimate an entire platoon—suddenly, the threat becomes tangible, not theoretical. Each weapon tells a story of supply lines, cross-border smuggling, and battlefield tactics honed in Myanmar’s jungles, then imported into Manipur’s cracked hills
FAQs
- What is the KCP (PWG) and why is it banned in Manipur?
The Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) is a Maoist-inspired outfit outlawed under the UAPA for its insurgent activities, including extortion, kidnapping, and armed attacks. - How were the two cadres arrested on August 6, 2025?
Intelligence inputs led police to Leiphrakpam Herojit Meetei’s residence in Imphal West and Ingudum Tularanjan Meitei’s hideout in Imphal East, where they were detained for extortion and abduction roles respectively - What weapons were recovered in the Churachandpur operation?
Authorities seized an AK Ghatak rifle, two improvised mortars, four rocket bombs, and nineteen mortar rounds during a cordon-and-search in Gothol village - What legal charges do the arrested cadres face?
Both face UAPA charges for terrorist funding and conspiracy, along with sections of the Arms Act and Explosives Act for weapon possession. - How can Manipur ensure long-term peace after such operations?
Combining robust enforcement with community engagement, socio-economic initiatives, and intelligence sharing can gradually erode insurgent support bases for sustained stability.
