Imphal, March 27 Security forces have arrested a member of the banned People's Liberation Army in the Imphal East district of Manipur, according to police on Friday.
The militant was apprehended from his residence in the Khurai Angom Leikai area on Thursday, a senior officer said.
A member of an armed organization was also arrested in Churachandpur district after a 9mm pistol, along with a magazine, was seized from his possession, he said.
An active member of the Kuki National Front (KNF), which is a signatory to the Suspension of Operations agreement with both the Centre and the state government, was arrested from the Tuibong area in Churachandpur district on Wednesday, the officer said.
Two prominent Kuki-Zo groups, including the KNF, had last year signed the Suspension of Operations agreement with the government on renegotiated terms and conditions, under which they agreed to maintain the territorial integrity of Manipur, relocate designated camps away from vulnerable areas, and work towards a solution to bring lasting peace and stability to the state.
Meanwhile, following a gunfight between suspected armed Kuki militants and security personnel in the Bishnupur district, a cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives was recovered in adjoining hill areas in Churachandpur district.
During an operation in the S Nabil and Loilamkot areas, two single-barreled rifles, one homemade grenade, and several other explosives were recovered, the police said.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, after a tribal solidarity march was taken out in the hill districts, in protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Since then, about 260 people, including members of both the Kuki and Meitei communities as well as security personnel, have been killed in the violence. However, there has been relative peace in Manipur in the last few months.