Manipur Police Arrest Three Militants, Seize Weapons & Narcotics in Statewide Raids
Manipur police and security forces carried out coordinated, intelligence-led operations across the state between September 20–21, 2025, arresting three active militant cadres from different outfits and seizing weapons, ammunition, mobile phones, SIM cards and a significant narcotics stash in a separate recovery. Arrests included an RPF/PLA member captured in Imphal East, two PREPAK cadres nabbed for alleged extortion in Bishnupur, and a suspect arrested in Imphal West from whom an SLR rifle and multiple magazines and rounds were recovered. Separately, about 240 grams of suspected brown sugar (in 21 soap cases) were found near a road in Jiribam district. Authorities say these raids are part of ongoing efforts to curb militant activity and related criminal networks in Manipur.
The who-what-where: quick factual timeline of the raids
- Sept 20, 2025 — Imphal East: Police arrested Adhikarimayum Ramkumar Sharma (aka Raikumar/Kumar, 62) of Kongba Kshetri Leikai. He’s described as an active member of RPF/PLA and was apprehended at Kongba Laishram Leikai Crossing under Porompat police station. Officers recovered a mobile phone from him
- Sept 19–20, 2025 — Bishnupur: Two alleged PREPAK cadres, named Thokchom Manimatum Singh (20) and Laishram Premsagar Singh (24), were arrested in Tronglaobi area on charges linked to extortion of residents and local businesses. Two mobile phones and SIM cards were seized.
- Sept 20, 2025 — Imphal West (Patsoi police station): Phijam Chetanjit Singh (33) was arrested. Authorities recovered one SLR rifle with two magazines, large quantities of ammunition (including 46 rounds of 7.62mm SLR ammo and a mix of 5.56mm, .303 and AK rounds), and a mobile phone.
- Sept 21, 2025 — Jiribam district: Security forces recovered 21 soap cases containing about 240 grams of suspected brown sugar from a roadside near Jatrapur village under Borobekra police station. This points to concurrent anti-narcotics efforts during the statewide raids.
Finding an SLR rifle, magazines and assorted ammunition is a big deal. An SLR is a military-style, high-velocity rifle that can be used for ambushes and sustained fire — which makes it materially different from small-calibre handguns. The recovered stock included:
- SLR rifle with two magazines
- 46 rounds of 7.62 mm (SLR) ammunition
- 30 rounds of 5.56 mm (INSAS) ammunition
- 17 rounds of .303 ammunition, one 7.62 mm AK round and more.
FAQs
Q1: Who were the militants arrested and which groups are they linked to?
A1: Authorities reported arrests of Adhikarimayum Ramkumar Sharma (aka Raikumar/Kumar, 62) — described as an active RPF/PLA member — and two alleged PREPAK cadres (Thokchom Manimatum Singh, 20; Laishram Premsagar Singh, 24) for suspected extortion. Another suspect, Phijam Chetanjit Singh (33), was arrested with an SLR rifle and ammunition. These arrests occurred in Imphal East, Bishnupur and Imphal West respectively.
Q2: What weapons and narcotics were seized during these operations?
A2: Police seized an SLR rifle with two magazines, extensive 7.62mm, 5.56mm and .303 ammunition and a mobile phone from one suspect. Separately, about 21 soap cases containing approximately 240 grams of suspected brown sugar were recovered near Jatrapur village (Jiribam). Multiple mobile phones and SIM cards were also seized from other detainees.
Q3: Will these arrests reduce ambushes and extortion immediately?
A3: Arrests disrupt operations and can reduce immediate threats like extortion and planned attacks. However, sustained reductions depend on follow-up investigations, prosecutions and addressing the financial/logistic networks that replace arrested operatives.
Q4: How do investigators use the seized phones and ammunition in follow-up investigations?
A4: Seized phones undergo forensic extraction to build call graphs, recover deleted communications and locate handlers or safe houses. Ammunition and guns undergo ballistic testing to link them with prior incidents. Combined, these forensic leads enable coordinated raids and stronger court cases.
Q5: What can local residents do to support anti-extortion and anti-narcotics efforts while staying safe?
A5: Residents should report extortion attempts with supporting evidence (messages, call records) to police, keep copies of suspicious communications, avoid confronting suspects directly, and cooperate with lawful investigations. Community reporting hotlines and witness-protection requests can help residents contribute without undue risk
