Manipur: Security forces arrested three active activists of banned PREPAK-Pro in Bishnupur district
Bishnupur: In the Bishnupur district of Manipur, security authorities detained three active members of the banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-Pro) and confiscated a sizable arsenal of weapons and ammunition as part of a significant crackdown on insurgent activity.
As a result of the March 23 operation, RK Navy Meitei (32) from Kumbi Terakhong within the jurisdiction of Kumbi Police Station, Yumlembam Romesh Singh alias Ratan (47), and Oinam Abung Meitei (31) were taken into custody.
One .303 Light Machine Gun (LMG), .303 LMG magazines, sixteen rounds .303 live ammunition, three 7.62mm Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) live rounds, one 5.56mm INSAS live round, one 7.62mm AK live round, and twenty-four Ballister cartridges were among the numerous firearms and ammunition found in their possession.
Security personnel also confiscated two cell phones, a four-wheeler, three grenade arm rings, a No. 36 hand grenade key, and .303 blank round.
Authorities are looking into the captured cadres’ connections to previous insurgent actions in the area and think they were engaged in subversive activities.
An armed rebel organization in Manipur called the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) is calling for its own sovereign nation.
In separate operations earlier this week, the Manipur Police seized weapons and ammunition during several raids around the state and detained seven cadres of different banned rebel organizations.
On March 21, Manipur police detained one KCP-PWG active member in Imphal West. In a different operation the same day, Manipur Police detained four KCP (Apunba) active cadres. One active PREPAK cadre from the Imphal East District was detained by security personnel in a separate operation.
In a separate operation on March 21, the security forces detained an active RPF/PLA cadre from the Imphal East District. Following a report from the state governor, Manipur was placed under President’s control on February 13.
After conflicts during a demonstration organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei people in the Scheduled Tribe category, violence broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 of last year.
