In a significant law enforcement action, Manipur police arrested two militants from the banned outfit PREPAK and a local arms dealer on Friday in Tronglaobi village, Bishnupur district. The arrests are part of ongoing efforts to curb insurgency and illegal arms trafficking in the region. The militants have been identified as Thokchom Manimatum Singh, 20, and Laishram Premsagar Singh, 24. Both are accused of extorting money from local civilians and maintaining links with underground networks supplying weapons across the state. The arms dealer, whose identity is being withheld by authorities, allegedly provided weapons to the militants and other insurgent elements in the area.

Police sources said the operation was based on intelligence inputs indicating that the duo was planning further extortion and arms-related activities. “We had credible information about their movements and connections,” said a senior police officer. The team acted swiftly to prevent any escalation, and the suspects were apprehended without any resistance.  During the operation, various firearms and ammunition were seized, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by local insurgent networks. Investigators are now probing the source of these weapons and the broader network that may be involved in arms smuggling in the region.

Authorities have placed the arrested individuals under strict custody and are conducting further interrogations to uncover possible accomplices and prevent future attacks. The local administration has also heightened security measures in Bishnupur district, including increased patrolling and checkpoints, to reassure residents and prevent retaliatory incident