GUWAHATI: Six militants of Kangleipak Communist Party- People’s War Group (KCP-PWG) and PREPAK (PRO) have been arrested over the past two days from Manipur’s Thoubal and Bishnupur districts for alleged involvement in abductions and extortion. Sources said some of the militants had been trained in Myanmar.
Two hand grenades and demand letters were seized from the militants, police said. The arrests were made in operations carried out on basis of inputs after villagers refused to give in to extortion attempts. “Villagers were fed up and started opposing such extortion activities while enduring hardships during ethnic clashes,” a police officer said.
Five KCP (PWG) cadres were arrested Friday from Charangpat Mayai Leikai village in Thoubal. Police sources confirmed their involvement in the abduction of a resident, Angom Amomcha Singh (67), on Oct 21, from his residence in Thoubal. He was released the following day. One hand grenade, two demand letters of KCP (PWG), five mobile handsets, 13 SIM cards and one four-wheeler were seized from the five arrested men.
On Saturday, a PREPAK (PRO) militant was held from Kumbi area in Bishnupur on extortion charges, police officials said, adding a hand grenade was found in his possession.
While targeting commercial and educational institutions for extortion has become a concern in the strife-scarred state, officials cautioned that discovery of grenades highlighted the severity of the situation.