Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Security forces arrested Thiyam Boycha Singh, a 28-year-old self-styled captain of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), on August 22. The arrest occurred in the Lilong Ushoipokpi area of Thoubal district. Intelligence led a joint team of Thoubal Police Commandos and the 11 Assam Rifles to the suspect. He lives in Bishnupur Ward No. 8.
Singh was a wanted man. The National Investigation Agency listed him as accused number three and had previously declared him an absconder. He is now under interrogation.
The suspect allegedly participated in the November 13, 2021, ambush near Sehken village in Churachandpur. The attack targeted a convoy belonging to Colonel Viplav Tripathi, the then Commanding Officer of the 46 Assam Rifles. Colonel Tripathi, his wife, their young son, and four paramilitary personnel died in the attack. The Manipur police stated, “Through further questioning, it was revealed that he was part of the team that ambushed the CO of 46 AR (Assam Rifles) and 6 others in Behiang, Churachandpur on 13/11/2021.”
The Army's Eastern Command confirmed the arrest on social media. They identified Singh as a primary conspirator in the killing. Security teams are currently questioning him to find other suspects involved in the plot. Officials expect to produce him before a special NIA court soon.
Separately, security forces arrested two alleged members of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) in Kakching on the same day. These arrests occurred in distinct operations. Police seized a revolver and six rounds of .38 ammunition during the Kakching capture of Nongmaithem Romesh Singh. Laishram Ganga Singh was also arrested in the region. Authorities continue to process these cases.
Updated at 24th August 2026 at 1:48am
Security forces also identified Thiyam Boycha Singh by the alias Balin. While initial reports linked him to the PLA, subsequent official accounts also listed him as a suspected captain within the PREPAK organization.
The crackdown on local insurgent groups expanded beyond the initial arrests. Security teams picked up three PREPAK cadres across Kakching and Thoubal districts on August 22. In addition to the previously reported arrests, officials confirmed the capture of Laishram Ganga Singh, a 44-year-old alleged active PREPAK cadre, in Kakching.
Anti-extortion efforts led to another arrest on August 23. Security forces apprehended Buyamayum Ayub Khan, a 30-year-old alleged cadre of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group), in the Lilong Tairen Makhong area of Thoubal.
Updated at 24th August 2026 at 9:46am
Investigators revealed that Singh reportedly spent extended periods at an insurgent camp in Myanmar, where he underwent military training. Officials suspect he also managed the procurement and movement of arms and maintained operational ties with other militant groups. The National Investigation Agency had previously placed a 4 lakh rupee bounty on his capture.
Following the string of arrests, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with Major General Inderjit Singh Bhinder and Brigadier Anshuman Tripathi at the Secretariat to review border management, operational preparedness, and current counter-insurgency tactics. The high-level talks also covered community support initiatives managed by the Assam Rifles.
Security forces identified the previously mentioned PREPAK cadre arrested in Kakching as Laishram Ganga Singh, also known as Tomchou. Another arrested PREPAK member was identified as 43-year-old Nongmaithem Romesh Singh of Kakching Mayai Leikai. The suspect arrested for extortion, Buyamayum Ayub Khan, is a resident of Hiyangthang Tarahei Konjil.
Updated at 24th August 2026 at 2:00pm
Following the August 22 arrest, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) Major General Inderjit Singh Bhinder and 22 Sector DIG Brigadier Anshuman Tripathi at the Secretariat in Babupara. The officials reviewed regional security, border management, and operational readiness while discussing civic action programs meant to stabilize local communities.
Authorities confirmed Singh was handed over to the Lilong Police Station at 6:20 pm on the day of his capture. The operation, which involved a coordinated search at 5:30 pm, was marked by tight intelligence sharing between the Assam Rifles and state police.
Updated at 24th August 2026 at 5:49pm
Security forces tracked further insurgent activity on August 24. A search operation at Kiyamgei Awang Leikai in Imphal East district led to the arrest of Nameirakpam Sanju Meitei, 35, an alleged active cadre of the RPF/PLA. Commandos seized an AK rifle, an SMG carbine, nine magazines, 737 rounds of mixed-caliber ammunition, three bulletproof plates, and three bulletproof jackets.
Operations expanded across multiple districts on Monday. In Imphal East, a sweep near the foothills of Sinam Kom village turned up a buried cache of weapons including one 7.62 mm SLR, one 5.56 mm INSAS rifle, a 9 mm pistol, a Pompi gun, a country-made gun, two single-barrel shotguns, three hand grenades, and an MG2 mortar shell. Teams also recovered four bulletproof plates, eight jackets, and two helmets.
In separate incidents on Monday, security forces apprehended Chongtham Lukhoi, 45, a suspected senior functionary of the KYKL, near Gate No. 2 in Moreh. Meanwhile, police arrested Laishram Manglemba Meitei, 45, an alleged active member of the KCP (Meeyamgi Fheenganag Lanmee) faction, at Sangakpham Bazar in Imphal East.
Updated at 24th August 2026 at 9:51pm
Violence flared again in the border regions on Monday. Unidentified gunmen ambushed an Assam Rifles patrol team near the Indo-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district. The attackers triggered an improvised explosive device between Yangoupokpi and Charingphei villages at 4 am. One soldier sustained injuries during the blast and subsequent firefight before the militants melted into the terrain. Military teams launched immediate search operations to track the attackers.
Following the meeting at the Secretariat, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand publicly commended the Assam Rifles for their recent counter-insurgency work. The Chief Minister credited the force for stabilizing the region and pushing to restore order across Manipur.
Updated at 25th August 2026 at 1:49am
Beyond the operational theater, the humanitarian crisis remains a focus at the Secretariat. On August 24, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with representatives of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Churachandpur, Moreh, Kangpokpi, and Torbung. The families pressed the administration for a concrete path to return to their native villages, arguing that indefinite stays in relief camps are not sustainable. They demanded transparent timelines for permanent housing and urged the government to ensure equal financial and medical support for those sheltering with relatives or in private rentals.
The displaced groups also lobbied for a halt to major state exercises, specifically calling for the postponement of census and house-listing operations until full rehabilitation is achieved. This push aligns with recent pressure from political rivals, including former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who previously demanded that the state prioritize resettlement over data collection. According to State Home Department records, the ethnic conflict that ignited in May 2023 has displaced 58,881 people, with more than 43,000 still waiting to leave temporary shelters.
Updated at 25th August 2026 at 9:47am
A separate sweep on August 24 in Kangpokpi district turned into a standoff. Teams from the Manipur Police, CRPF, RAF, and CoBRA raided J. Songtun village, hauling in two country-made 12-bore guns, 14 other 12-bore rifles, 1,225 rounds of 12-bore ammunition, six VHF wireless sets, and a Golden Antler telescope. Local residents, led by women, blocked the exit road with stones to demand the return of the gear before security forces dispersed the crowd.
In Imphal West, police commandos booked 26-year-old Oinam Gipson Singh, also known as Gypsy or Cheichatpa, during a stop-and-search operation at Moidangpok Maning Leikai on August 23. Officers pulled a .32 pistol and four rounds of ammunition from his kit.
Comments