Major Blow to KCP (Taibanganba): Security Forces Arrest Four, Seize Arms in Coordinated Operations

 

File Photo: Manipur Police

In a significant breakthrough against insurgent activities, state security forces have arrested four individuals, including three active cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Taibanganba faction, in a series of intelligence-led operations. The arrests, carried out in the Bishnupur district, are part of a broader, intensified campaign to combat extortion and other criminal activities that have plagued parts of the state. These operations underscore a strategic shift towards precision-based actions aimed at dismantling militant networks from the ground up.

The operation began on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, when security forces, acting on specific intelligence, conducted a raid on the residence of Moirangthem Shanta Singh, a 52-year-old resident of Ningthoukhong Kha Ward No. 6 in Bishnupur district. Singh was taken into custody on charges of providing shelter and support to active members of the KCP (Taibanganba) group, a crucial role that enables militants to operate within civilian areas.
The raid at Singh's residence led to the immediate apprehension of two active cadres of the outfit who were hiding there. The arrested cadres were identified as Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh, also known as Luchingpurel, a 21-year-old from Bishnupur ward no. 6, and Laishram Birjit Singh, alias Lucky, a 35-year-old from Khongjom Bazar Maning in Thoubal district. The presence of cadres from different districts at a single safe house highlights the inter-district operational network of the insurgent group, which security forces are actively working to disrupt.

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Information gleaned from the preliminary interrogation of the three arrested individuals provided actionable intelligence, leading security forces to another key operative. This resulted in a subsequent operation in the Nachou Panthong area, also under the jurisdiction of the Bishnupur Police Station. In this follow-up action, forces successfully arrested Laishram Kishan Singh, alias Pamuba, a 23-year-old active cadre of the same KCP faction. Notably, Singh hails from Tuibong Zion Veng Mamang in Churachandpur district, further confirming the widespread and cross-district footprint of the group's network.

This chain of arrests—from the sympathizer to the sheltered cadres and then to another operative in the field—demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-based, sequential operations. By systematically acting on information gathered at each stage, security forces were able to neutralize a significant part of a local module within a short span.

During the operations, a cache of arms and other materials was seized from the possession of the arrested individuals. The recovery included one .32mm pistol complete with its magazine and five live rounds of ammunition. The seizure of a firearm is a critical piece of evidence and prevents its potential use in acts of violence, intimidation, or extortion.

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In addition to the weapon, authorities confiscated five mobile phones and one side bag. The mobile phones are considered a valuable intelligence asset and will be subjected to forensic analysis to uncover communication trails, identify other members of the network, and gather evidence on the group's planned activities and extortion rackets.

This crackdown is a part of an ongoing state-wide effort where security forces are conducting extensive combing, cordon, and search operations. The focus on intelligence-driven missions allows for targeted actions that minimize disruption to the general public while maximizing the impact on criminal and insurgent elements. The successful arrest of these four individuals and the seizure of a weapon deal a tangible blow to the operational capabilities of the KCP (Taibanganba), reaffirming the authorities' commitment to restoring peace and dismantling the machinery of fear and extortion in the region.