Journalism of Courage

Chief of Kuki outfit, 5 other militants nabbed in separate counter-insurgency operations in Manipur’s Churachandpur

Paokholen Guite, the self-styled commander-in-chief of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo Army (CKMA), is allegedly involved in the trafficking of weapons and drugs across the India-Myanmar border.

Manipur policeThe police said assorted weapons and drugs were recovered from the possession of the militant cadres. (Source: File)
Advertisement

Security forces apprehended as many as six Kuki-Zo militants, including the chief of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo Army (CKMA), in separate counter-insurgency operations conducted in Manipur’s Churachandpur district in recent days.

On Wednesday, a combined team of the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police arrested Paokholen Guite, the self-styled commander-in-chief of the CKMA from S Munuam village, the police said.

Guite, who hails from P Mongjang village in Churachandpur district, is reportedly involved in the trafficking of weapons and drugs across the India-Myanmar border for non-SoO organisations in Manipur, such as United KuKi National Army (UKNA), police said. SoO or Suspension of Operations refers to the agreement between the Centre and Kuki-Zo outfits for cessation of hostilities.

Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles along with magazines, 31 live rounds of AK-47, 150 rounds of 7.62 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR)/Light machine gun (LMG), and cash of Rs 1 lakh, among paraphernalia.

In a separate counter-insurgency operation launched on Friday, security forces also arrested four active cadres of the UKNA and a minor, all belonging to Churachandpur district, from Songkot village area in the Henglep sub-division.

The arrested cadres have been identified as Paolenlal Kipgen, 30, of Boljol village, Kamgoulen, 23, of K Phaijang village, Lhunkholen Singson, 26, of Bolkot village, and Khaiginpau, 37, of S Bualkot village. A minor was also apprehended.

The police said assorted weapons and drugs were recovered from the possession of the militant cadres. The items seized include an M79 grenade launcher with three bombs, two 9mm pistols with five rounds, eight radio sets, along with four chargers, eight pairs of jungle shoes, three kilograms of opium seeds and mobile phones.

Story continues below this ad

An investigation is underway to nab the associates of those arrested and cadres of their organisations, said the police. The UKNA is not a signatory to the SoO. It is believed to be responsible for the ambush in July in Churachandpur that killed the deputy commander-in-chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA), an SoO signatory.

From the homepage

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
  • Manipur
Edition
Install the Express App for
a better experience
Featured
Trending Topics
News
Multimedia
Follow Us
Express PremiumIn UP’s Bahraich, villagers cry wolf – only, the fear is real
X