10 PREPAK (RA) militants, including 5 minors, arrested near India-Myanmar border in Manipur

Security forces have arrested 10 cadres of the banned insurgent outfit PREPAK (Red Army faction) near the India-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, police said on Tuesday. Among those detained are five minors , who are being processed in accordance with provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.

According to an official statement, the arrests were made during a search operation conducted in the sensitive border belt between border pillars 77 and 82 under the jurisdiction of Moreh Police Station. The operation is part of intensified counter-insurgency measures in the region.

The People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) is a valley-based insurgent group operating in Manipur that seeks to establish an independent Kangleipak , a term historically used to refer to the region and identity of the Meitei people. The group aims to create a sovereign state separate from India , rather than a restructured state within the Indian Union. Its Red Army (RA) faction is known for armed activities such as extortion, recruitment drives, and cross-border operations, often exploiting porous stretches along the India-Myanmar border. The outfit is among several militant groups banned under Indian law.

Security forces have ramped up operations across Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023 , leading to the deaths of over 260 people and displacement of thousands in clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

In a related development, unrest was reported in Churachandpur after a mob attempted to storm the residence of H Thanglet (chairman of the Kuki Zo Council) on Sunday night. The protest was triggered by allegations of militants being present at his residence.

Officials said the crowd had earlier pelted stones at the house and tried to force entry. Security personnel dispersed the mob using tear gas , while armed guards fired blank rounds to bring the situation under control.

Authorities continue to maintain heightened vigil in both hill and valley districts amid fragile law and order conditions.