Three Militants of Banned Outfits Arrested in Manipur, Arms and IEDs Recovered
Security forces arrested three militants belonging to two proscribed organizations in Manipur during coordinated operations across multiple districts on February 14, 2026.
Two active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Apunba) were apprehended from Imphal West and Imphal East districts.
One member of the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) was arrested from his residence in Moirang Khounou, Bishnupur district.
During follow-up operations in the Khulsaibung hill range of Tengnoupal district, security forces recovered one single-barrel gun, two pistols, and eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The arrests come amid continued ethnic tensions in Manipur, with renewed violence between Tangkhul Naga and Kuki-Zo communities reported in Ukhrul district since early February 2026.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967
The UAPA is the primary central legislation for designating organizations as "unlawful associations" and combating terrorist activities in India. In November 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared nine Meitei extremist organizations as unlawful associations under the UAPA for a period of five years, citing their involvement in secessionist, subversive, and terrorist activities aimed at establishing an independent nation through armed struggle and secession of Manipur from India.
The arrested militants belong to KCP (Apunba) and PREPAK, both declared unlawful under the UAPA since November 2023. Their continued operations despite the ban underscore the challenge of completely dismantling insurgent networks in the northeastern region, even after formal proscription.
Insurgency in Manipur and the Northeast
Manipur has experienced multiple layers of insurgency since the 1960s, involving Meitei, Naga, and Kuki armed groups with differing and often conflicting demands. The Meitei insurgent groups such as PLA (founded 1978), PREPAK (founded 1977), and KCP (formed as a 1980 splinter from PREPAK) seek an independent socialist Manipur. Simultaneously, Naga groups seek integration of Naga-inhabited areas, while Kuki organizations demand a separate administration, creating a complex multi-ethnic security challenge.
Key Details
- PLA (People's Liberation Army of Manipur): Founded September 25, 1978 by N. Bisheshwar Singh; political wing -- Revolutionary People's Front (RPF); seeks independent socialist Manipur
- PREPAK: Founded 1977 by R.K. Tulachandra; armed wing -- Red Army
- KCP (Kangleipak Communist Party): Formed 1980 as splinter from PREPAK; armed wing also named Red Army
- All three are Meitei insurgent groups listed in First Schedule of UAPA
- Post-May 2023: Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities added a new dimension to the security situation
- February 2026: Renewed tensions between Tangkhul Naga and Kuki-Zo communities in Ukhrul district
The arrest of KCP and PREPAK cadres reflects the persistence of Meitei insurgent activities even as the state grapples with inter-ethnic violence. The recovery of eight IEDs indicates an active threat capability that extends beyond organizational survival to operational readiness.
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958
AFSPA empowers the armed forces to operate in "disturbed areas" with expanded powers including search, arrest, and use of force. The Act remains in force in most of Manipur, with periodic reviews and partial withdrawals. As of October 2025, AFSPA applies to the entire state of Manipur except 13 police station areas in five districts (Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching).
The successful operations in Tengnoupal and Bishnupur districts -- both areas where AFSPA is in force -- demonstrate the operational framework under which security forces conduct anti-insurgency operations in Manipur. Tengnoupal, bordering Myanmar, is a critical corridor for cross-border militant movement and arms smuggling.
- Arrested: 3 militants -- 2 from KCP (Apunba), 1 from PREPAK
- Districts of arrest: Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur
- Arms recovered: 1 single-barrel gun, 2 pistols, 8 IEDs (from Khulsaibung hill range, Tengnoupal district)
- UAPA ban on Meitei groups: November 13, 2023, for 5 years
- Nine Meitei organizations banned: PLA/RPF, UNLF, PREPAK/Red Army, KCP/Red Army, and others
- AFSPA status in Manipur: In force across state except 13 police station areas in 5 districts (October 2025 - March 2026)
- PLA founded: 1978; PREPAK founded: 1977; KCP formed: 1980