Manipur security forces arrest UKNA chief, recover arms and explosives in Churachandpur

Guwahati: Security forces in Manipur have arrested the self-styled chief of the banned United Kuki National Army (UKNA) militant outfit from Churachandpur district and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and explosives based on information provided during his interrogation.

A senior police official said the self-styled chief of the outlawed UKNA, identified as R.C. Singson, was arrested from Old Gelmol village in Churachandpur district, which shares both an inter-state border with Mizoram and an unfenced international border with Myanmar.

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According to the official, the banned UKNA is a Hmar tribal militant outfit. It is not among the insurgent groups covered under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed with the Central government.

Acting on information provided by the arrested militant leader during interrogation, security forces launched a search operation in the forested areas of Thingchawm village in the same district. They recovered a sizeable cache of arms, ammunition and communication equipment.

The seized weapons include one AK-47 rifle with a magazine, one 9 mm pistol with a magazine, three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and two Baofeng radio communication sets. Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the weapons and identify other members of the militant network.

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In a separate development, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh chaired a high-level meeting to review overall security arrangements in and around the state’s Civil Secretariat complex located at Mantripukhri in Imphal East district.

State Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Art, Culture and Tourism Minister Loken Khuraijam Singh, Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh and several senior civil and police officials attended the meeting.

Later, in a post on social media, the Chief Minister said: “Ensuring the safety and security of the Civil Secretariat remains our utmost priority. The meeting finalised key measures for the immediate strengthening of security arrangements to safeguard the Secretariat and ensure the smooth functioning of governance.”