Four insurgents arrested during search operations in Manipur, weapons seized

One active cadre each of the proscribed insurgent group’s political wing Revolutionary People’s Front RPF/PLA,  National Socialist Council of Nagalim Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and two Over-Ground Workers (OGW) of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) were arrested during different search operations, Manipur police said on Tuesday. The police stated that search operations were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal-West, Imphal-East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts. The statement added that six arms, five ammunition, and two explosives were recovered during search operations from Imphal-East and Bishnur districts. The arrests were made on Monday. “Manipur Police arrested 1 active cadre of RPF/PLA, 1 active cadre of NSCN(IM) and 2 OGW of KCP (Lamyanba Khuman), Manipur police informed on X, formerly known as Twitter. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered to transfer trial of criminal cases being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Manipur violence to Guwahati in Assam. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said there have been victims in valleys and in hills in Manipur and “we can’t go into who suffered more, there are victims in both communities.” The bench said victims and witnesses will be able to give testimony electronically from their homes in Manipur rather than physically coming to the court in Guwahati. It passed a slew of directions on the trials in the cases bearing in mind the overall environment in Manipur and a need to ensure a fair process of criminal justice administration. The violence in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on 3 May. Violence has gripped the entire state for over four months now and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control.