BY PC Bureau
Cadres of the banned United National Liberation Front-Koireng (UNLF-K) group continue to cross into Indian territory in Manipur from Myanmar, engaging in extortion, abduction, and other criminal activities before retreating across the border. This persistent cross-border insurgency exacerbates the region’s economic and security challenges, particularly in districts like Churachandpur, where extortion contributes to inflated prices of essential goods.
On April 15, 2025, security forces arrested three insurgents from Manipur’s valley region during a raid near the Indo-Myanmar border, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The operation, conducted by the Assam Rifles with support from the Moreh Police, took place on Tuesday night in Tengnoupal District, near Border Pillar 81, Sub Pillar 3, under the jurisdiction of Moreh Police Station, adjacent to Myanmar.
The arrested individuals, identified as Ningombam Shyam Singh (32), Chingangbam Johnson Meitei, alias Angomcha Meitei (30), and Md Sohel Khan (25), are alleged members of the UNLF-K, a faction of the United National Liberation Front advocating for Manipur’s sovereignty. They were apprehended during a swift raid as they attempted to infiltrate Indian territory. Several incriminating items were seized, though specific details were not disclosed. The arrested individuals and seized materials were handed over to Moreh Police Station for further legal action under relevant laws.
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This operation marks a significant success in the ongoing crackdown on insurgent networks exploiting the porous Indo-Myanmar border. The UNLF-K, with an estimated cadre strength of around 300, operates primarily from Myanmar, where it maintains bases despite internal divisions and regional instability.
On 14.04.2025, Central forces arrested 03 (three) active cadres of UNLF(K) from general area of Border Pillar 81 Sub Pillar 3 under Moreh-PS, Tengnoupal District, namely,
i)Ningombam Shyam Singh (32),
ii)Chingangbam Johnson Meitei @ Angomcha Meitei (30) and
iii)Md. Sohel Khan… pic.twitter.com/fIuvAaa51W— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) April 16, 2025
UNLF’s Operations and Internal Divisions
The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), a Meitei insurgent group, has historically maintained a strong presence in Myanmar and Bangladesh, leveraging these regions for training camps and strategic operations. However, recent developments have reshaped its dynamics. The faction led by Khundongbam Pambei (UNLF-P) signed a peace agreement with the Indian government and the Manipur state government in November 2023, signaling a move toward peaceful engagement. In contrast, the UNLF-K, reportedly led by Koireng, continues its militant activities from Myanmar, undeterred by the peace process.
The ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar has complicated operations for groups like the UNLF-K. Their camps have faced attacks from local resistance forces, such as the People’s Defence Force (PDF), while Myanmar’s volatile security landscape has pressured some cadres to surrender to Indian authorities upon crossing the border. These surrenders highlight the growing challenges for insurgent groups operating in the region, yet the UNLF-K persists in cross-border activities, including extortion, which adds to the economic burden in Manipur’s hill districts.
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Extortion by militant groups like the UNLF-K, though not the primary driver of price hikes in Manipur, contributes to the soaring cost of goods. Truckers transporting supplies along the Aizawl-Churachandpur route are forced to pay small sums to insurgents, while traders and shopkeepers in Churachandpur face monthly “taxes” from multiple factions. These costs are passed on to consumers, inflating the selling prices of essentials like cement (₹700 per 50 kg bag), rice (₹70/kg), and cooking oil (₹200/liter). In a region already grappling with disrupted supply chains and ethnic tensions, such extortion exacerbates economic hardship.
Broader Security Operations in Manipur
In a major security operation conducted across Manipur on April 14–15, 2025, security forces arrested a total of 11 individuals linked to various banned militant outfits involved in extortion and criminal activities targeting public and private institutions. These operations underscore the widespread nature of insurgent activities and the government’s intensified efforts to curb them.
- KCP (Apunba City Meitei) Arrests in Thoubal District
On April 15, security forces apprehended four active members of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Apunba City Meitei faction from Salungpham Mamang Leikai near Bazar, under Heirok Police Station in Thoubal District. The arrested individuals were:- Md. Saruk Khan (34), Thoubal Wangkhem Muslim
- Sangomsumbam Akhter Ahamed (29), Thoubal Wangkhem Muslim
- Kongjengbam Kumarjit Singh (41), Nambol Leimapokpam Awang Leikai, Bishnupur District
- Laishram Joymangol Singh (47), Kairembikhok Mamang Leikai, Thoubal District
They were allegedly extorting money from brick kilns, banks, hospitals, schools, colleges, fuel stations, shops, contractors, and stone crushers in Thoubal. Seized items included:
-
- One .32 caliber pistol with magazine and three live rounds
- Three 36 HE hand grenades
- Five mobile handsets
- One four-wheeler and two two-wheelers
- SOREPA Operatives Nabbed in Imphal East
On the same day, Manipur Police arrested three suspected members of the banned Social Revolutionary Party (SOREPA) from Waithou Chiru in Imphal East District. The accused were:- Leishungbam Lenin Singh (31), alias Khuman
- Yumkhaibam Lukhoi Singh (32), alias Aboi
- Sagolsem Dinesh Singh (25)
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They were extorting money from educational institutions in the Yairipok area. Seized items included three mobile phones, a two-wheeler, and other articles.
- KCP (Nongdrenkhomba) Member Arrested in Imphal West
Also on April 15, security forces arrested Salam Sadananda Singh (31), alias Igocha alias Pari, an active member of the KCP (Nongdrenkhomba) faction, from a rented accommodation at Kombirei Housing Complex under Lamphel Police Station in Imphal West. He was involved in issuing monetary threats to residents in and around Imphal. One mobile handset and an Aadhaar card were recovered.
Security and Economic Implications
These arrests highlight the pervasive threat of insurgent groups in Manipur, whose activities—extortion, abduction, and intimidation—undermine both security and economic stability. In Churachandpur, extortion contributes to the high cost of living, compounding the challenges posed by disrupted supply chains, ethnic tensions, and poor infrastructure. The state government’s failure to fully restore access to critical supply routes, such as the Imphal-Churachandpur highway, allows insurgents to exploit vulnerabilities, further inflating prices.
The security forces’ recent operations demonstrate a proactive approach to dismantling insurgent networks. However, long-term solutions require addressing the root causes of militancy, including unemployment, ethnic divisions, and lack of infrastructure development in Manipur’s hill districts. Strengthening border security along the Indo-Myanmar frontier, improving road connectivity, and fostering dialogue between communities could reduce the influence of groups like the UNLF-K and alleviate the economic strain on residents.
The arrests of UNLF-K, KCP, and SOREPA members in April 2025 reflect the ongoing battle against insurgency in Manipur. While these operations have disrupted militant activities, the persistence of cross-border groups like the UNLF-K underscores the complexity of the region’s security landscape. In Churachandpur and other hill districts, the economic fallout—evidenced by exorbitant prices for cement, food, and fuel—demands urgent action. A combination of robust security measures, infrastructure investment, and community reconciliation is essential to restore stability and affordability to Manipur’s beleaguered residents.
