Imphal, May 1 (IANS) Six militants of different outfits, two wanted offenders, and four drug peddlers were apprehended by security forces in Manipur during the past 24 hours, and a large cache of arms and varied drugs was seized from them, officials said on Thursday.

A police official said that the security forces arrested Waikhom Rohit Singh alias Phurupngakpa, 33, a resident of Thoubal Pakhangkhong Leirak in Thoubal district, in connection with a case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Four militants belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were apprehended in Imphal West district, while one cadre each of the United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) outfits were arrested from Imphal East and Kakching districts, respectively. Some arms and ammunition, some explosives, seven mobile sets, and cash were recovered from the possession of the militants.

The security forces also arrested four drug peddlers from Imphal West and Tengnoupal district, which shares an unfenced border with Myanmar.

In Tengnoupal, police intercepted two vehicles and recovered three lakh highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba or party tablets, valued at a few crores of rupees, from inbuilt and modified cavities inside the two vehicles. An amount of Rs 2.6 lakh in Indian currency, several Aadhaar cards, and some other documents were also recovered from the vehicles.

The two drug peddlers, identified as Paojathang Kipgen, 30, and Kamminlun Kipgen, 24, were arrested. They are inhabitants of Govajang village in Tengnoupal.

Two more drug smugglers were arrested in Imphal West, and 274.8 kg ganja (marijuana), which was being carried in a truck, was recovered. The two drug sellers, identified as Kayenbam Kenedi Singh, 36, and Keisam Sarat Singh, 55, were arrested.

Manipur Police also arrested one Sinthangamba Konsham Mangang (25), a resident of Kabo Leikai in Thoubal District. He is a serial offender and has been involved in multiple cases of mob-related incidents across Manipur, including an attack on the office of the Thoubal District Superintendent of Police.

As part of the state police’s special drive, four more stolen/snatched vehicles were recovered from anti-social elements/attackers. Amid the ethnic violence in Manipur, theft of cars and two-wheelers was reported, and 126 stolen cars and 20 two-wheelers have been recovered since April 16 from different places in the state. Police launched a special drive on April 16 for the recovery of stolen/snatched vehicles.

–IANS

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