Security forces in Manipur have seized a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Operations in Imphal East and Thoubal districts yielded an M16 rifle, pistols, and grenades. In a separate incident, two drug peddlers were apprehended in Imphal West district. They were found with approximately 2 kilograms of brown sugar.
Security forces arrest 10 extremists from banned groups in Manipur raids
Security forces apprehended ten extremists from two banned outfits in Manipur. The arrests occurred across Kakching, Thoubal, and Imphal West districts. Recovered items included rifles, pistols, grenades, and incriminating documents. Additionally, security forces destroyed 30 acres of illegal poppy plantations. These arrests bring the total to 18 extremists in 48 hours. The militants were involved in intimidation and extortion.
Nagaland University Study sounds environmental alert for Loktak Lake
GUWAHATI: A study conducted by Nagaland University has sounded an environmental alert for the Loktak Lake, one of Indias iconic freshwater ecosystems and a designated Ramsar Site in Manipur. Researchers found that changes in land use particularly agriculture, settlements, and shifting cultivation are directly deteriorating the water quality of rivers feeding into the lake, threatening its biodiversity and livelihoods of locals. Loktak Lake is home to 132 plant species and 428 animal species, and supports hydropower, fisheries, transport, and tourism. However, in recent decades, the lake has been listed under the Montreux Record a global warning list for wetlands undergoing serious ecological damage. Reduced fish populations, rising pollution levels and increased sedimentation have now become growing concerns. A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated to be of international importance under Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These sites are recognised for their ecological significance, such as supporting biodiversity or providing critical habitat for waterfowl. The study was undertaken by Dr Eliza Khwairakpam, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Environment and Pollution. Highlighting the need for such studies, Prof Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, Nagaland University takes great pride in the significant research contribution made by our faculty (members) and scholars, revealing the strong link between land use and water pollution in the Loktak Lake catchment area of Manipur. The study highlights the pressing environmental challenges arising from agricultural runoff, human settlements, and shifting cultivation, which are directly impacting the river water quality in the region. To understand the root cause, Nagaland University researchers conducted field sampling across nine major rivers Khuga, Western, Nambul, Imphal, Kongba, Iril, Thoubal, Heirok and Sekmai that drain into Loktak Lake. Using detailed Land Use Land Cover maps, Dr Khwairakpam compared different types of land activities such as agricultural areas, dense and degraded forests, settlements, Jhum cultivation and water bodies, against water quality indicators like dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand and temperature. Our study confirms that land use decisions across villages and forest landscapes upstream are directly impacting water quality downstream. This makes community-based land management and stricter control of agricultural runoff and waste discharge crucial for restoring Loktak Lake, Dr Khwairakpam said.
PM Modi launches projects worth over Rs 8,500 crore in Manipur
IMPHAL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated 17 projects worth Rs 1,203 crore from Manipurs capital Imphal and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects valued at over Rs 7,344 crore at Churachandpur. He inaugurated the civil secretariat (Rs 538 crore) and the new headquarters of Manipur Police (Rs 101 crore), both located in Imphals Mantripukhri. The Prime Minister also inaugurated four Ima (mothers) markets at Tengnoupal, Noney, Pallel, and Moirang (Rs 24 crore), as well as Manipur Bhavans in Delhi and Kolkata, built at costs of Rs 164 crore and Rs 42 crore respectively. Other projects inaugurated include the development of Leishang Hiden Cultural and Heritage Park in Imphal West district (Rs 13 crore), a four-lane bridge over the Irang river on the Imphal-Jiribam NH-38 at Noney district (Rs 49 crore), the development of the western front of the Imphal river (Phase-II) (Rs 56 crore), Mall Road (Phase-II) (Rs 24 crore), and infrastructure development for five government colleges in Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts (Rs 13 crore). The Prime Minister also inaugurated IT-SEZ Building-I at Mantripukhri (Rs 114 crore), infrastructure for district administration in Kamjong district (Rs 15 crore) and Kakching district (Rs 12 crore), the Eklavya Model Residential School at Tokpa village, Loktak Project, Churachandpur district (Rs 16 crore), an institutional building with staff quarters at Ningthoukhong CHC, Bishnupur (Rs 7 crore), an institutional building with staff quarters at Saikot CHC, Churachandpur (Rs 7 crore), and a hostel for paramedical and allied sciences at JNIMS, Imphal (Rs 6 crore). The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for 14 projects. Two of the key projects are the Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement Project (Rs 3,647 crore) and the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) Project, which includes infrastructure at Imphal and skilling and employment generation across the state (Rs 550 crore). Other projects include working womens hostels at nine locations (Rs 142 crore), provision of super-speciality and assured speciality healthcare in remote and hill districts (Rs 105 crore), infrastructure development in and around the Polo Ground (Rs 30 crore), strengthening of 120 high schools and higher secondary schools in all 16 districts (Rs 134 crore), installation of grid-connected SPV power plants at two power substations and a 5 MWAC floating SPV power plant (Rs 33 crore), and various projects pertaining to rural connectivity, education, and tourism across Manipur (Rs 102 crore). In his first visit to ethnic conflict-hit Manipur, PM Modi appeals to all organisations to choose 'path of peace'
Six militants arrested in Manipur's Tengnoupal and Thoubal districts
Manipur police reported the arrest of six militants from various proscribed groups in Tengnoupal and Thoubal districts. The insurgents belonged to PLA, UNLF (K), and KCP (MFL), apprehended for activities including extortion and recruitment. Security forces also seized a significant cache of arms and ammunition during an operation in Imphal West district, recovering rifles, pistols, and IEDs.
Four militants among five held in Manipur, 26 firearms recovered in separate operations
Manipur police arrested five individuals, including militants from banned groups like PLA, KCP (PWG), and Prepak (Pro), for alleged extortion in several districts. The arrests occurred during frisking and checking exercises. Security forces also recovered firearms, explosives, and ammunition in Churachandpur and Thoubal.
86 weapons, 974 ammunition recovered in major crackdown in Manipur
IMPHAL: In a major crackdown on illegal arms, security forces recovered 86 weapons and 974 rounds of ammunition during a coordinated operation across five valley districts of Manipur on Tuesday. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, joint teams of Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Army and Assam Rifles launched simultaneous operations in Imphal East, Kakching, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Bishnupur districts, IGP (Zone-II) K Kabib said at a press conference. Coordinated operations were launched simultaneously at multiple locations by joint teams, comprising the Manipur Police, CAPFs, Army and Assam Rifles, he said. Among the weapons allegedly recovered were five AK rifles, three INSAS rifles, 16 SLRs, five .303 rifles, 19 pistols, two carbines, nine other types of rifles, and 16 single-barrel guns, he stated. A total of 86 weapons, along with 974 different types of grenades, ammunition, explosives and mortar shells were recovered. Forty-one magazines and six wireless handsets were also recovered, he added. Kabib said this seizure marked a significant achievement for the security forces in their mission to restore peace, uphold public order, and protect lives and property. The police are committed to ensuring a peaceful and secure Manipur. We also urge the people to cooperate with the police and security forces, and promptly report any suspicious activities or information related to illegal arms, he said.
