Two Women Arrested in Manipur for Alleged Abduction of Minors Linked to Banned Outfit

Police say three children were rescued safely as investigation continues

PTI, IMPHAL, JAN 7, 2025: Two women belonging to a proscribed outfit were arrested from Manipur’s Thoubal district for allegedly abducting three minors for recruitment to the organisation, police said on Wednesday.

The two cadres of the banned PREPAK (People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak) were apprehended from the Khangabok area on Monday, a senior officer said.

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into the alleged abduction of the three children from Kakching Khunou Ngaikhong Leikai in Kakching district on Sunday, he said.

“The children have been rescued from Uchiwa Awang Leikai in Imphal West district and handed over to their parents,” the officer said.

A car, which was used in the alleged kidnapping, was recovered, he said, adding that efforts are underway to arrest the accomplices of the arrested militants.

Search operations have been conducted in Manipur since ethnic strife broke out in May 2023. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups.

The Centre had imposed the President’s rule in the state after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.

Statement of Manipur Police stated that on 05.01.2026, security forces arrested two active women cadres of PREPAK from Khangabok in Thoubal district. They were identified as Khundrakpam (o) Ningthoujam Roshidiya (24), a resident of Khangabok Khulakpam Leikai, Thoubal district, and Lisham (o) Bidya (30), a resident of Thoubal Haokha Maning Leikai, Thoubal district.

The arrest of the duo followed an investigation into the abduction of three minors on the previous day from Kakching Khunou Ngaikhong Leikai under Waikhong Police Station in Kakching district. The children were allegedly abducted for recruitment into PREPAK.

The abducted minors have since been rescued from Uchiwa Awang Leikai in Imphal West district and handed over to their respective parents.

A white Maruti 800 bearing registration number MN06-1329, which was used in the kidnapping, has been recovered. Efforts are underway to arrest the accomplices of the arrested PREPAK cadres.