Security forces in Manipur apprehended four UNLF (P) cadres from different locations of Imphal West district and seized a fish-laden truck on Friday, officials said. The apprehended cadres had hijacked the truck loaded with boxes of iced fish from Maharabi-Pheidinga stretch under Sekmai police station earlier in the day. The apprehended cadres have been identified as Borish Sagolsem (25) of Yairipok Laimanai in Imphal East district, Herojit Sharma (32) of Yairipok Bishnunaha Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district, Asem Amar Meitei (20) of Sabal Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district, and Md Salman Khan (35) of Yairipok Tulihal in Imphal East district.
Further, two tipper trucks, which were used in shifting and transporting the fish boxes from the hijacked truck have also been seized by security personnel, officials informed. The drivers and handyman of the seized vehicles were also apprehended. They have been identified as Pukhrambam Mukhesh Singh (23) of Torbung Bangla in Bishnupur district, Waikhom Bijen Meitei (31) of Yairipok Nungaipokpi Mamang Leikai in Imphal East district, and Loukrakpam Shitaljit Singh (32) of Yairipok Nungeipokpi Mamang Leikai in Imphal East district.
Further investigation is under way to establish the full extent of the operation and possible links to other criminal activities in the area. The operation comes in the wake of violence, allegedly perpetrated by armed groups, in the Torbung area of the state on December 16 and demands by civil society groups for immediate action against the attackers. A huge cache of arms and ammunition, including an IED, were also recovered by security forces.