Explosives, arms, and Myanmar currency were seized in a major anti-militancy operation targeting KYKL and KCP factions.
BY PC Bureau
June 16, 2025 — In a sweeping series of coordinated counter-insurgency operations, security forces in Manipur arrested at least six members of banned valley-based militant outfits on Sunday, underscoring a sharp turn in enforcement focus toward the Imphal Valley, now increasingly viewed as the nerve centre of armed activity in the state.
According to an official statement released Monday, joint teams comprising the Manipur Police and Central Armed Police Forces launched multiple raids targeting hideouts of proscribed insurgent groups, including the Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and its factions.
In the first major raid, two KYKL activists and one KCP cadre were apprehended near the Taret River under Kasom Khullen Police Station, Kamjong District. They were identified as:
- Bidyananda Shijagurumayam (25) of Khurai Thongam Leikai, Imphal East
- Tonsana Moirangthem (27) of Moirang Thamnapokpi, Bishnupur
- Omikanta Nongmaithem (27) of Wangjing Lamding Bazaar, Thoubal
Seized from them were two pistols (7.65 mm and .22 caliber), five live rounds, 27 detonators, two mobile phones, ₹1,840 in Indian currency, and 20,000 Myanmar kyats, hinting at possible cross-border connections.
On 15.06.2025, security forces arrested 02(two) active cadres of KCP (MFL) from Shikhong Shemai Bazar under Nongpok Sekmai-PS, Thoubal District, namely, (i) Songam Hungyo (19) of Sada Lungthar and (ii) Toijam Jamson Meitei @ Boro (25) of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, Imphal east… pic.twitter.com/RQYeJmq7pK
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 15, 2025
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Interrogation of the trio led to a follow-up raid in Shikhong Shemai Bazaar, Thoubal District, where two active KCP (Meeyamgi Feeyang Lanmee) operatives were arrested:
- Songam Hungyo (19) of Sada Lungthar
- Toijam Jamson Meitei alias Boro (25) of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, Imphal East
The duo was found in possession of mobile devices suspected to contain operational communications.
Later the same day, a KCP (Military Council Progressive) cadre, Takhellambam Gandhi Singh alias Thouba (25), was arrested near Sawombung Bridge in Imphal East. Security forces recovered a mobile phone, SIM card, and Aadhaar card during the search.
In a separate case, three members of Arambai Tenggol—a controversial valley-based group that publicly identifies as a socio-cultural organization—were arrested in connection with an abduction case.
READ: Three Arambai Tenggol Cadres Held in Abduction Case
The string of arrests—clustered in Imphal East, Thoubal, and Bishnupur—bolsters the narrative that the Imphal Valley, home to the Meitei majority, is a resurgent base for insurgent operations. Though militant outfits like KYKL and KCP have long histories of armed struggle, they had remained relatively dormant in recent years.
Analysts say the seizures of detonators, foreign currency, and weapons point to revived militant logistics and planning, raising red flags about potential sabotage or extortion campaigns.
As Manipur continues to navigate a landscape scarred by ethnic conflict and insurgent legacies, the growing spotlight on the Imphal Valley may be driven by actionable intelligence—but it risks further inflaming perceptions of state bias and inter-community distrust.