Two active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-City Meitei) were arrested with a Japanese-made pistol and some incriminating documents in the operation launched by the police ahead of the Manipur Bandh called by several underground outfits. To protest the merging of the princely Manipur state into the Indian union on October 15, 1949, several underground groups called a 12-hour Manipur bandh on October 15, 2023.

Ahead of the bandh, Manipur Police arrested two active members of KCP (City Meitei) from Thangmeiband near Hot Bite Cafe in Imphal West District on Friday at around 12:30 p.m. Police said that one 9mm pistol RFI along with one magazine loaded with 4 live rounds bearing body no. 18305913 (suspected to be looted from security forces) one pistol marked as “.32 7.65 PISTOL MADE IN JAPAN” along with one magazine loaded with 3 live rounds, one Baleno car black in color without registration number, three mobile handsets, and two wallets containing 2 Aadhaar cards and Rs. 200/- were recovered.

They are later identified as Ningthoujam Chalamba Singh, 2, of Khurai Sajor Leikai, and Yendrembam Goutam Meitei, 25, of Sekta Mayai Leikai under the Imphal East district. After extensive interrogation, they disclosed that they have been working under the command of Self-Styled Chairman Mr. Brojen @ City Meitei since June 2023, and on his advice, they demanded huge amounts from the shop owners of Imphal West and East area for their party fund.

The arrested persons along with the seized articles were handed over to Imphal PS for further necessary action, the police added.