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Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Myanmar-sourced weapons entering India via some cadres of Manipur insurgent outfits
Imphal/New Delhi, Security agencies in Manipur have intensified a probe into an arms smuggling racket from Myanmar with potential nationwide ramifications, following the arrest of a senior leader from a Valley-based Insurgent Group . Myanmar-sourced weapons entering India via some cadres of Manipur insurgent outfits The investigation focuses on alleged gun-running operations by some cadres of banned outfits, sourcing weapons from Myanmar and reportedly distributing them across India using forged documents and the help of registered gun houses. The case was cracked by Manipur police in the last week of June, leading to the arrest of four people, including Sinam Somendro Meitei alias 'Richard,' a self-styled Lieutenant Colonel and Project Secretary of the banned terror outfit United National Liberation Front . Richard's arrest highlights a concerning aspect of the UNLF-P's current engagement with peace processes. While the organisation announced a ceasefire in November 2023 and signed an agreement with the Manipur government, it has since been accused of dragging its feet on surrender negotiations. The officials said the group has failed to deposit its weapons or provide a list of its members as stipulated by the ceasefire agreement and also alleged that some members of the group have been indulging in extortion and other anti-social activities. The operation in the present case began after specific intelligence about an arms-smuggling-dealing-middleman gang in the greater Imphal area was received on June 24. This led to the initial detention of Lanchenba Nongthombam, proprietor of Nongthombam Gun House who was found to be selling firearms without proper documentation, and his disclosure led the police to Richard, the officials alleged. They said the foreign-made weapons were smuggled into India from Myanmar through its porous border, allegedly by some cadres of the banned UNLF-P and these arms were then sold across the country using a fabricated paper trail. The officials said that one such case has already been detected in Punjab, and investigations are ongoing to trace the sale of these foreign arms in other parts of the country. This constitutes a serious offence under the Arms Act. Under Section 10 of the Arms Act, import of foreign weapons in India is prohibited except for in the case of sports persons and that too after getting prior approvals. During raids at the residence of Richard, police recovered four US-made revolvers and pistols, one Austrian-made revolver, one Indian pistol, several rounds of ammunition meant for foreign arms, z=a wireless set and high-end mobile phones. Richard's criminal history, as highlighted by police, dates back two decades, and he was first arrested in 1995 under the Unlawful Activities Act. Subsequent arrests occurred in 2005 and 2006 for charges including extortion and UA violations. He was also arrested by Meghalaya police in Shillong in September 2006. In July 2003, Richard was allegedly involved in transporting cadres between Guwahati and Bangladesh, and in handling illicit financial transactions, including converting currency into taka and dollars. After his arrest, officials said Richard allegedly attempted to leverage his affiliation with the UNLF-P and its ongoing ceasefire talks. However, police officials were unmoved as he is suspected of involvement in an arms running racket that could have national ramifications. Led by Kh Pambei, the UNLF made history in 2023 by becoming the first Meitei armed group in the Imphal Valley to engage in a ceasefire agreement with the government, pledging to renounce violence. However, the security officials had warned at that time that this may be an attempt by the group to evade growing pressure from the police and other security agencies, as many of its cadres were allegedly involved in extortion and other activities. The UNLF's demand for camp establishment near Kuki-populated areas was met with resistance from security agencies, fearing a potential escalation of ethnic conflicts that have already resulted in over 200 casualties. Despite the ceasefire agreement's intent to halt hostilities, some incidents in 2024 show UNLF members carrying out violent activities with impunity, even looting arms from security forces. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Arms from Myanmar: Smuggling racket in Manipur busted; 4 held as probe intensifies
Security forces in Manipur have launched an intensified investigation into a transnational arms smuggling racket, following the arrest of a senior leader from a Valley-based insurgent group. The operation exposed a wider network suspected of trafficking weapons from Myanmar and distributing them across India using forged documents and registered gun houses. The case came to light in late June when Manipur Police arrested four individuals, including Sinam Somendro Meitei, also known as 'Richard,' a self-styled Lieutenant Colonel and Project Secretary of the proscribed outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P). Police sources say Richard's arrest points to troubling inconsistencies in UNLF-P's engagement with the peace process. Despite signing a ceasefire agreement with the state government in November 2023, the group is yet to surrender arms or provide a list of active members as required. Authorities have also accused some cadres of continuing extortion and other criminal activities under the guise of a truce. The current probe began after specific intelligence was received on 24 June, indicating the presence of a gun-running syndicate in Imphal. This led to the detention of Lanchenba Nongthombam, owner of Nongthombam Gun House, who allegedly sold weapons without proper records. His confession led police to Richard. According to officials, UNLF-P cadres were smuggling foreign-made weapons from Myanmar through the porous border and selling them across India. The trail has already reached Punjab, where one such case has been identified, and investigations are underway in other states. Such activities constitute a serious offence under the Arms Act, particularly Section 10, which prohibits the import of foreign arms except under special permission for sportspersons. Searches at Richard's residence yielded four US-made pistols, one Austrian revolver, an Indian pistol, dozens of foreign-calibre bullets, a wireless set, and high-end mobile phones. Richard, police say, has a criminal record spanning nearly three decades. He was first arrested in 1995 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), followed by subsequent arrests in 2005 and 2006 for similar offences. In 2003, he was allegedly involved in moving insurgents between Guwahati and Bangladesh and handling illegal financial transactions in foreign currencies. Following his recent arrest, Richard reportedly tried to cite his group's ceasefire pact to avoid legal action. However, police dismissed the claim, given the gravity of the alleged arms network and its potential national implications. The UNLF-P, led by Kh Pambei, had made history last year by becoming the first Meitei insurgent group in the Imphal Valley to agree to a ceasefire. However, security officials had expressed early scepticism, warning that the move may have been tactical, aimed at avoiding growing pressure from law enforcement. The UNLF's request to set up camps near Kuki-dominated areas faced strong opposition from security agencies, who feared it could reignite ethnic tensions that have already claimed more than 200 lives. Despite the ceasefire's intent to curb violence, several 2024 incidents suggest UNLF-P operatives remain active, even allegedly seizing arms from security forces.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Two militants arrested in Manipur, firearms recovered
'Security forces have arrested two members of proscribed outfits in Manipur and recovered firearms from their possession,' police said on Thursday (June 26, 2025.) 'One active cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) was apprehended on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) from one of the floating huts in the Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district,' a senior officer said. 'One 9 mm pistol and ammunition were recovered from his possession,' he said. "The floating huts on the lake were used as a makeshift transit camp and hideout by militants," the officer said, adding that several household items which were used by cadres of outlawed organisations were recovered and the huts were dismantled. 'In a follow-up action, arms and ammunition were recovered from the Nachou Awang Leikai area in the district,' the police said. 'One active cadre of the banned United National Liberation Front (P) was also arrested from his Soibam Leikai residence in Imphal East district. Two 9 mm pistols and ammunition were also recovered from his possession,' ,' the officer said. Editorial | Slow and unsteady: On Manipur and an elusive peace 'Overall, the law and order situation in the State was normal,' the police said. 'Security forces have been continuing search operations and area domination exercises in the fringe and vulnerable areas across districts,' the officer said. These operations have been conducted in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The State Assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
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Business Standard
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Two militants from banned outfits held in Manipur, firearms recovered
Security forces have arrested two members of proscribed outfits in Manipur and recovered firearms from their possession, police said on Thursday. One active cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) was apprehended on Tuesday from one of the floating huts in the Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district, a senior officer said. One 9 mm pistol and ammunition were recovered from his possession, he said. "The floating huts on the lake were used as a makeshift transit camp and hideout by militants", the officer said, adding that several household items which were used by cadres of outlawed organisations were recovered and the huts were dismantled. In a follow-up action, arms and ammunition were recovered from the Nachou Awang Leikai area in the district, the police said. One active cadre of the banned United National Liberation Front (P) was also arrested from his Soibam Leikai residence in Imphal East district, the officer said. Two 9 mm pistols and ammunition were also recovered from his possession, he said. "Overall, the law and order situation in the state was normal," the police said. Security forces have been continuing search operations and area domination exercises in the fringe and vulnerable areas across districts, the officer said. These operations have been conducted in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Manipur Police cracks down on arms smuggling, extortion gangs; six arrested
Manipur Police on Tuesday busted an inter-state organised gang involved in illegal arms trade and arrested four people. The arrests are part of operations across the state aimed at neutralising criminal and insurgent networks operating in Manipur, officials said on Wednesday. Police have said that all arrested individuals will be produced before the relevant courts. (HT sourced photo) 'On June 24, we successfully cracked down on an inter-state organised gang involved in illegal arms trade. The gang had been operating clandestinely in the Greater Imphal area, smuggling unauthorized arms across different states. We have taken into custody four individuals involved in this network, including a known cadre of the United National Liberation Front (P) [UNLF (P)] faction', a senior police officer said. According to police, the arrested individuals were found in possession of a large cache of firearms and ammunition. The officer added, 'We recovered high-end pistols including Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Glock, JD Taurus, and Beretta models, along with several loaded magazines. In total, over 150 rounds of live ammunition were seized, indicating the scale at which this group was operating.' In a separate operation conducted the same day, three active cadres of the United National Liberation Front (P) UNLF (P) were arrested from Babupara in Imphal West. 'These individuals were extorting money from government employees and contractors, using threats to secure contract work. Their actions have spread fear among the local population', the officer said. He confirmed that pistols, live ammunition, mobile phones, cash, and identification documents were seized during the arrests. Also Read: Arambai Tenggol member arrested for murder amid Manipur crackdown In Thoubal district, another suspect believed to be an active cadre of the UNLF (Ningolmacha), was arrested from the Lilong Hangamthabi area. According to officials aware of the matter, he was actively involved in extorting money from shops, individuals, and even government establishments. 'He had been issuing monetary demands across Thoubal district,' a police official said, adding that a mobile phone and personal documents had been recovered from him. In a similar operation, police arrested a People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak-Progressive [PREPAK (Pro)] (a banned underground outfit) faction operative, identified as Thoudam Johnjackson Singh, from his residence at Liwa Road, Ahongshangbam Leikai under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West. A senior police official confirmed the arrest and stated, 'We are tracking all elements involved in subversive activities, and we will continue our crackdown on groups trying to destabilise the region.' Police have said that all arrested individuals will be produced before the relevant courts, and investigations are underway to identify further links to arms trafficking and militant networks.
