News Brief
Manipur Police Rescue Kidnapped Labourers, Crack Down On Drugs and Illegal Weapons
North East India
Security forces in Manipur have intensified operations against criminal activities, successfully rescuing two abducted civilians and conducting major drug and weapons seizures in multiple operations this week, as reported by India Today.
The coordinated crackdown underscores efforts to combat rising crime, drug trafficking, and illegal arms smuggling in the region.
Kidnapped Labourers Rescued in Police Operation
On 5 February, Manipur Police rescued two abducted labourers from Assam—Rintu Mina (37) and Montu Sheikh (20)—who had been kidnapped near the Public Hospital in Hatta.
Acting swiftly, police arrested the alleged kidnapper, Md Anwar Hussain (41), from the Kairang-Heingang Khong area.
Massive Drug Seizures at Moreh and Bishnupur
The following day, security forces executed two major drug busts:
At Moreh Gate number 1, authorities apprehended Zamkholun Baite (40) with 1.5 kg of WIY tablets.
In Bishnupur District, forces arrested Md. Tajuddin (29), who was found carrying 1,041 grams of suspected brown sugar. Both suspects were caught with vehicles and mobile phones, adding to the evidence against them.
Weapons Cache Recovered in Counter-Insurgency Operations
In a separate operation, security forces uncovered a hidden weapons stockpile in the Wangoo Mameiching and Nongyai Hill range, including:
Single Barrel Gun & SLR Rifle
Tear gas munitions
Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) weighing 600 grams
COCOMI Calls for Anti-Narcotics Bureau Amid Rising Drug Threat
These raids come just days after the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) urged the central government to establish a dedicated anti-narcotics bureau in the northeastern region, citing the escalating drug trafficking crisis.
The group has asked the Centre to officially declare the northeastern region as a 'narco-terrorist emergency zone' to highlight the gravity of the situation and mobilise national resources accordingly.
COCOMI has also demanded:
A thorough investigation into influential individuals and groups allegedly supporting narco-terrorism in Manipur, Mizoram, and Myanmar’s Chin State.
A crackdown on smuggling infrastructure, particularly for drugs and illegal arms, which has worsened security concerns in the region.
