Two KCP (PWG) Members Arrested by Manipur Police in Ongoing Crackdown on Militant Activities

KalimNews, KOLKATA, MARCH 24, 2025 : On March 24, 2024, two members of the Kangleipak Communist Party Peoples' War Group (KCP (PWG)), a Maoist separatist militant organization, were arrested by a team of Manipur Police from Gorchuk, Kamrup Metropolitan District, Guwahati, Assam. The arrested individuals were identified as Meishnam Bungomacha Singh @ Lakpa, from Haotak Tampha Khunou, Wangoo Keirap Moirang, Bishnupur District, and Tekcham Ibomcha Singh (42), from Pukhao Laipham Makha Leikai, Pukhao Ahallup, Imphal East. They were taken into custody in connection with an FIR filed by Andro Police Station in Imphal East District.

The Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), initially led by ideologues Ibohanbi and Ibopishak, is a Maoist separatist group operating in the state of Manipur. The group, which follows Marxist and Maoist principles, has been engaged in an armed conflict against the Government of India. Since its inception, the KCP has split into over 12 factions, with the faction led by Ibungo Ngangom becoming the most prominent. This faction, which emerged in the late 2000s, continues to commemorate April 14, 1980, as its rising day, marking the original establishment of the Kangleipak Communist Party. The group has been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for its role in waging war against the Indian state.

The arrested individuals are accused of recruiting youths into the ranks of the proscribed KCP (PWG). This follows the earlier arrest of four extortionists affiliated with the same faction on March 15, 2025, in Andro, Imphal East. Two of the arrested extortionists were reportedly recruited by the individuals now in police custody.

In another operation, on March 23, 2025, Manipur Police arrested two more members of the KCP (PWG), Sarangthem Dinesh (26) and Sanasam Malemnganbi Chanu (23), from Wangoi Laxmi Bazar under Wangoi Police Station, Imphal West District, while they were attempting to extort money from local shops. The police seized a two-wheeler and a mobile phone from their possession.

Manipur Police, in collaboration with security forces, conducted search operations and area domination in vulnerable areas across the state's hill and valley districts. These operations led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including one country-made 9 mm pistol with a magazine, two long-range improvised mortars, six improvised explosive devices (IEDs) weighing approximately 12 kg, five hand grenades, two 9 mm live rounds, four AK-47 live rounds, three 7.62 mm SLR live rounds, nine long-range improvised mortar rounds, and nine AK-fired cases. The cache was found in the general area of Lokchao under Moreh Police Station, Tengnoupal District.

These arrests and the ongoing search operations reflect the continued efforts of Manipur Police to clamp down on militant activities in the region, particularly those linked to KCP (PWG) and other insurgent groups. Authorities remain vigilant as they aim to dismantle the operational networks of such groups, which have posed a persistent challenge to peace and security in the region.