Security forces in Manipur arrested nine people, including militants linked to different underground outfits and drug peddlers, during multiple operations carried out across the state. Arms, ammunition, brown sugar, cash, and other items were also seized during the raids, police said on Saturday.

Among those arrested was a cadre of the Kuki National Army-Burma faction, identified as 38-year-old Lalthangjohn from Khaominthang village in Churachandpur district. He was arrested in Zou Veng on Thursday. Police recovered a 9 mm Hawg 9 pistol, a magazine, seven live rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and a mobile phone from his possession.

The arrest comes days after several Tangkhul Naga organisations accused KNA-B militants of carrying out attacks on Naga-inhabited villages in Kamjong district near the Myanmar border. Tangkhul bodies, including the Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long, alleged that around 100 armed KNA-B militants crossed the international border from Myanmar on May 7 and attacked four Tangkhul Naga villages. The villages named in the allegations were Namlee, Wanglee, Ashang Khullen (KAKA), and Aloyo (Choro).

Local MLA from Kamjong district and Naga People’s Front legislator Leishiyo Keishing had earlier claimed there was involvement of “foreign aggression” in the attacks on the villages. A similar statement was also made by the National People’s Party Manipur unit on Friday.

In another operation, security forces arrested a 33-year-old woman cadre linked to the banned underground outfit People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, also known as PREPAK. The woman, identified as Konsam Thoi Devi alias Nanao alias Naobi, belongs to Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai in Imphal West. She was staying at Khergao Jail Leirak in Imphal East and was arrested from Wangkhei Konung Mamang on Thursday.

Police also arrested another active militant associated with the banned underground outfit Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup or SOREPA faction. The arrested person was identified as 38-year-old Huidrom Narendra Singh alias Pathou alias Abung alias Lucky from Hiyanglam Waikhom Leikai. He was taken into custody from Hiyangthang in Imphal West on Thursday.

Apart from the militant-related arrests, police also detained two extortionists in Kangpokpi district. According to a police statement, 43-year-old Thangjamang Haokip from Pangmoul village and an 18-year-old juvenile were caught red-handed while allegedly stopping trucks and collecting money from drivers at Pangmoul village. Both are residents of Kangpokpi district.

Security forces also intensified anti-drug operations across different parts of the state. During frisking and checking drives, four drug peddlers were arrested from Churachandpur and Senapati districts. Police said a man identified as Nehkholun Hangshing, aged 45 and a resident of K. Sharonphai village in Churachandpur, was arrested with 188 soap cases of brown sugar weighing 1.360 kg.

In a separate operation at T. Khullen check post in Senapati district, three more people, including a husband and wife from Saikul Bazar in Kangpokpi district, were arrested. Security personnel recovered 99 soap cases of brown sugar weighing 1.140 kg from them. Cash amounting to ₹30,300 was also seized during the operation.

The series of arrests and recoveries highlights the continued crackdown by security forces on militant activities, extortion networks, and drug trafficking in Manipur. The operations were carried out across multiple districts as authorities continue efforts to control insurgency-related activities and illegal trade in the state.