Imphal/New Delhi, May 20 – Security forces in India’s northeastern state of Manipur have arrested more than 350 insurgents in a sweeping crackdown on extortion rackets that have expanded into resolving matrimonial and family disputes, officials said on Sunday.
The arrests began in mid-February, shortly after President’s Rule was imposed in the violence-hit state. Authorities said the intensified operations aim to dismantle the Valley-based insurgent networks, which have become increasingly brazen in their methods as pressure from security forces mounts.
“Clear instructions have been issued to the public to report extortion attempts or face legal consequences,” a senior official told Reuters, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operations. Traditionally involved in extracting money through threats and cuts in government tenders, the insurgent groups have recently begun charging fees to settle personal disputes, including those involving marriage and family feuds, the official said.
In a recent case, Manipur Police arrested a man known by the alias ‘Tiger’ from Imphal East while he was mediating a matrimonial dispute. He was later identified as Laishram Ramesh Singh, a member of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF). According to police, Singh joined the group in September 2024 and was operating in its finance wing.
“During questioning, Singh admitted to collecting extortion money from local government officials and business houses,” the official said. Authorities recovered two mobile phones and ₹2.15 million ($25,800) in alleged extortion proceeds during the arrest.
Officials also said insurgents are increasingly turning to technology, using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls routed through Wi-Fi networks and SIM cards obtained with forged documents from various northeastern states, making them harder to trace.
Most of the arrests have been concentrated in Imphal East and Imphal West, where insurgent activity remains high. The crackdown comes amid heightened security concerns in Manipur, which has witnessed sporadic ethnic and insurgent violence in recent years.
