Six UPPK Militants, Including Minor, Arrested in Manipur Over Extortion, Kidnapping

Security forces have arrested six suspected cadres of the banned United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), including a minor, over their alleged involvement in extortion, intimidation and kidnapping, police said on Wednesday. The arrests were made on Tuesday from different locations in Bishnupur, Imphal East and Imphal West districts of Manipur.

The six suspects were apprehended by teams of the Special CDO from Mantripukhri, Khabam Leikai, Pangei Bazar and Koirengei Forest Gate. Those arrested were identified as Elangbam Rabikumar Singh, Waikhom Arun Singh, Ahongshangbam Avinash Singh alias Andy, Elangbam Alexander Singh, P Koireng Singh and a juvenile, according to police. Fifty-one-year-old P Koireng Singh was arrested at Koirengei Forest Gate in Imphal West and is employed as a gardener in the state Forest Department.

Police said 23 UPPK letterheads were recovered from the suspects, along with a Baofeng handheld wireless communication set, an Astar car and a Pleasure two-wheeler. Authorities said the arrested individuals disclosed their alleged involvement in kidnapping, extortion and intimidation, while further investigation is underway.

The arrests come amid renewed security operations targeting alleged extortion networks in Manipur. A juvenile described as an active UPPK extortionist cadre was also arrested in Thoubal district on August 11, indicating that authorities have been tracking alleged UPPK-linked activity in recent weeks.

The UPPK has a complex history. The outfit signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre and Manipur government in 2013 before announcing the dissolution of the organisation and its armed wing, the Kangleipak People's Army, in April 2016. The latest arrests therefore come against a backdrop in which the use of the UPPK name by alleged extortionists has previously been disputed by former members.

In a separate operation, security forces conducted a cordon-and-search operation at Taphou Kuki and adjoining Taphou Liangmai in Senapati district. A joint team involving Manipur Police, CoBRA, CRPF and the Mahila Battalion recovered two SBBL guns, 78 live 12-bore rounds, 11 empty 12-bore cases, and empty AK-47 and .22 ammunition cases. Other recoveries included a cartridge belt, charger set, five vehicle registration plates and a military-surplus ammunition container. Three bunkers - two at Taphou Kuki and one at Taphou Liangmai - were destroyed.

The Taphou operation followed recent ethnic tension and violence in the area, including reports of arson and a gunfight in which a CRPF personnel was injured. Security forces have maintained a strong presence to prevent further escalation.

The twin operations highlight the continuing security challenge in Manipur, where authorities are simultaneously targeting insurgent-linked extortion and kidnapping networks, illegal weapons and fortified positions. The latest arrests and recoveries are expected to feed into wider investigations into armed-group activity and the financing of militant networks in the state.