Eight militants belonging to two factions of a proscribed outfit were arrested by the security forces for extortion activities and supply of arms and explosive items to various parts of Manipur's valley districts, police informed on Friday.
Four members of the banned KCP (Peoples' War Group) were apprehended from several locations in Imphal East district for allegedly supplying hand grenades, a police statement said.
All are residents of Imphal East, the police said.
Security forces also arrested four active members of the outlawed KCP (MFL) from Kakching district for allegedly being involved in extortion activities and the supply of arms.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh recently said that peace is unlikely in the state unless all the people who have illegal weapons are disarmed.
The illegal weapons, including firearms, looted from the security forces and those purchased illicitly, have been used since the beginning of the ethnic violence in Manipur in 2023. Security forces have been conducting search operations in Manipur since then.
More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.
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