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| Manipur Police arrest of two active members of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), or KCP(PWG) |
Imphal, July 9, 2025 – In a significant breakthrough in their fight against organized crime, the Manipur Police have intensified intelligence-based operations across the state, targeting those involved in extortion and other criminal activities. On July 8, 2025, a coordinated effort led to the arrest of two active members of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), or KCP(PWG), in the Utlou area of Bishnupur district. The arrests mark a critical step in dismantling the group’s extortion network, which has been plaguing the region by targeting the general public and local businessmen.
The two individuals apprehended were identified as Laitonjam Ramakanta Meitei, alias Bothe, aged 34, from Uyumpok Maning Leikai in Imphal East district, and Thongam Herojit Singh, 38, from Tengdongyan Mayai Leikai in Imphal West district. According to police reports, the duo was actively involved in raising funds for the KCP(PWG) by extorting money from residents and business owners in the Nambol area. Their activities were part of a broader pattern of intimidation and coercion that has disrupted peace and economic stability in the region.
Laitonjam Ramakanta Meitei, a self-styled section commander of the KCP(PWG), is believed to be a key figure within the outfit, overseeing a network of more than 15 cadres. His role involved coordinating and executing the group’s extortion operations, making his arrest a significant blow to the organization’s structure. Thongam Herojit Singh, his accomplice, played a supporting role in these activities, assisting in the collection of illegal funds and enforcing the group’s demands.
The arrests were the result of meticulous intelligence-based combing operations and cordon-and-search efforts by the Manipur Police. These operations are part of a broader strategy to curb the activities of banned outfits like the KCP(PWG), which have long been involved in destabilizing activities, including extortion, intimidation, and other criminal acts. By targeting the financial lifelines of such groups, the police aim to weaken their operational capabilities and restore confidence among the public.
A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized the importance of these operations in maintaining law and order. “The KCP(PWG) has been exploiting vulnerable communities for years, using fear and coercion to fund their activities. These arrests send a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated,” the official said. The police are now focusing their efforts on tracking down the remaining cadres under Meitei’s command, with ongoing operations aimed at dismantling the group’s network entirely.
The Manipur Police’s crackdown comes at a time when the state is grappling with the challenges of maintaining peace amidst the activities of various insurgent groups. The KCP(PWG), a faction of the larger Kangleipak Communist Party, has been involved in anti-state activities for decades, often resorting to extortion to sustain its operations. The group’s actions have not only strained the state’s economy but also instilled fear among residents, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas like Nambol.
Local residents have expressed cautious optimism following the arrests. “We’ve been living under the shadow of fear for too long,” said a shopkeeper in Nambol, who requested anonymity. “The police action gives us hope, but we want to see this momentum continue until the entire network is rooted out.”
The Manipur Police have vowed to sustain their aggressive stance against such groups, with plans to expand their intelligence-gathering efforts and collaborate with local communities to identify and apprehend remaining members of the KCP(PWG). Authorities have also urged the public to come forward with any information that could aid in these efforts, assuring confidentiality and protection for informants.
As the investigation progresses, the arrests of Meitei and Singh are seen as a critical step toward restoring peace and security in Manipur. With efforts underway to apprehend the remaining cadres, the state’s law enforcement agencies are determined to dismantle the KCP(PWG)’s extortion racket and bring those responsible to justice.
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