Imphal, April 8 (IANS) A day after a deadly bomb attack in Manipur’s Bishnupur district claimed the lives of two young children and left their mother injured, security forces, in a joint operation, arrested three militants belonging to the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in neighbouring Churachandpur district on Wednesday, officials said.​

According to a police official, the arrested militants have been identified as Jampao Kuki, Sasang, and Paulallem Vaiphai. During the operation, security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the UKNA cadres. ​

The seized items include one AK-47 rifle with a magazine and 25 rounds of ammunition, one pistol with two magazines and 15 rounds, cash amounting to Rs 20,100, and two sacks of narcotic contraband, raw opium, weighing a total of 21.19 kg.​

In subsequent operations carried out in the Molphei Tampak area of the same Churachandpur district, security personnel recovered additional weapons, including one MP-9 automatic rifle, one pistol with a magazine, two Lethode tubes, one Pumpi (a locally made cannon), and five 70 mm cartridges.​

The violence follows a tragic incident that occurred around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, when a powerful bomb, allegedly fired by suspected Kuki militants, hit a house in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village in Bishnupur district. ​

A five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister were killed instantly in the explosion, while their mother sustained injuries. The victims were reportedly asleep at the time of the attack, which also caused extensive damage to their home.​

In the aftermath of the blast, tensions escalated further on Tuesday. Two protesters were killed, and 31 others were injured during clashes and firing after a mob stormed a CRPF camp in Bishnupur. Another injured protester succumbed to injuries on Wednesday.​

A large crowd of around 500 people, including women, staged massive protests condemning the killing of the two children. According to officials, protesters stormed a CRPF camp near Gelmol, located just a few hundred metres from the blast site, setting vehicles on fire and vandalising property.​

In a separate operation, security forces recovered two 9 mm pistols along with incriminating items, including documents such as medical records, PAN and Aadhaar cards, and Indian and Myanmar currency, from the area between border pillars 72 and 73 near Yangoubung village in Tengnoupal district, which shares a border with Myanmar.​

Additionally, a militant belonging to the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) outfit was arrested, and more arms and ammunition were seized from various locations in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.​

Security forces, comprising both central and state agencies, have intensified crackdowns on militant groups. Search operations and area domination exercises are ongoing in fringe, mixed-population, and vulnerable areas across multiple districts.​

To curb illegal movement and enhance security, a total of 101 checkpoints have been set up across Manipur in both valley and hill districts. ​

Authorities are also providing armed escorts to vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities, along the Imphal–Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Strict security arrangements and convoy protection measures remain in place in sensitive stretches to ensure the safe movement of vehicles.​

Meanwhile, Manipur Police have urged the public not to believe rumours or fall prey to fake videos circulating on social media. “The veracity of any circulation of unfounded videos or audio clips may be confirmed from the Central Control Room. Uploading and circulating fake posts on social media will attract legal action,” a police statement warned.​

The police have also appealed to the public to immediately return any looted arms, ammunition, and explosives to the authorities or the nearest security forces.​

–IANS

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