Manipur Police arrest two brothers accused of involvement in recent attacks on security personnel in Imphal East, officials said on Wednesday. The arrests followed a joint operation involving Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on September 15.
The arrested men are Sheleibam Tomtin Meitei, alias Tomba, 27, and Sheleibam Jagatshyam Meitei, alias Ibungo, 35. Police said both men are allegedly active members of the proscribed New Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM). They were apprehended at Kongpal Kongkham Leikai following intelligence inputs.
Brothers linked to two firing incidents
According to security forces, the two brothers are suspected of involvement in two separate firing incidents targeting security personnel. The first incident took place at Lamlong Bazar on August 22 and involved personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), police said.
The second incident occurred at Khonghampat on September 10, when armed men allegedly fired at CRPF personnel on duty. The police investigation into that attack led to the arrest of their father, Sheleibam Yaima, according to officials.
The allegations against the brothers remain part of an ongoing investigation. Their arrest does not by itself establish their guilt, and further legal proceedings will determine the evidence against them.
Manipur Police arrest follows intelligence inputs
The joint operation was launched after intelligence received from the CRPF M and N Sector, according to the security forces. Inputs were also corroborated by the Chief of Defence Operations units in Imphal East and Imphal West.
Meanwhile, the operation was carried out in Kongpal Kongkham Leikai in Imphal East district. The coordinated action reflects continued cooperation between state police and central security forces in investigations involving armed groups and attacks on security personnel.
Manipur has continued to see security operations against suspected members of proscribed organisations and other armed groups. Police and security forces have carried out arrests, searches and weapons recoveries in several districts in recent weeks.
Weapons recovered during operation
Security forces said the operation also resulted in the recovery of firearms and ammunition. An AK-47 rifle and 43 live rounds were seized from the suspects, according to police.
A 9 mm pistol with three live rounds was also recovered. In addition, the joint team seized a car, an auto-rickshaw and a scooter during the operation.
The recovery of firearms is expected to form part of the evidence examined during the investigation. Authorities have not publicly disclosed all details of the cases or explained whether forensic examinations of the recovered weapons are underway.
Security operations continue across Manipur
The latest arrests come amid a wider security drive in Manipur. Police have reported several operations involving suspected insurgent cadres, illegal weapons and attacks on security personnel during September.
For example, Manipur Police recently reported the arrest of three armed cadres in Churachandpur district. Security forces said they recovered five assault rifles, magazines and 298 rounds of ammunition during that operation.
Earlier this month, a joint operation in Chandel district also recovered a cache containing firearms, ammunition, grenades and improvised explosive devices, according to Manipur Police.
These operations show the continuing focus on weapons recovery and the identification of people suspected of involvement in armed activities.
Investigation remains underway
The arrests of Tomba and Ibungo add to the investigation into recent attacks on security forces in and around Imphal. Police are expected to examine the alleged links between the brothers, the two firing incidents and the weapons recovered during the operation.
For now, the authorities have described the men as suspected members of the NRFM and accused them of involvement in attacks on SSB and CRPF personnel. The cases will proceed through the legal process, while investigators continue to gather evidence.
The arrests also follow the earlier detention of their father in connection with the Khonghampat attack. Police have not indicated that the family relationship alone establishes involvement in the incidents. Further investigation will determine the role, if any, of each accused person.