Joint Operation by Assam Rifles and Police Leads to Arrest of Five UNLF Suspects in Manipur
A joint operation in Manipur results in the arrest of five suspected members of the UNLF, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the region.
Ukhrul, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : A collaborative operation involving the Assam Rifles and state police has resulted in the arrest of five suspected members of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in Ukhrul district, Manipur. This action took place on October 17, 2026, based on intelligence reports indicating the suspects’ involvement with the militant group.
Authorities believe that the arrested individuals are part of the G-5 group, a clandestine alliance comprising five rebel factions: UNLF, KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, and PREPAK (Pro). The UNLF is recognized as the oldest insurgent organization in Manipur, founded in 1964. In 2023, the group entered into a peace agreement with both the central and Manipur state governments, committing to cease violence and reintegrate into mainstream society.
Despite the peace accord, certain factions of the UNLF, alongside other G-5 members, have reportedly continued to intimidate citizens and demand extortion payments. Some of these members are currently active near the India-Myanmar border. Recently, security forces intensified their crackdown on G-5 members, who had imposed a one-year ban on participants of cultural events like the ‘Shumang Leela’ troupes and the ‘Sangai Festival.’
The ‘Shumang Leela’ theater groups play a crucial role in raising awareness about social issues such as drug abuse, HIV, and insurgency. Reports indicate that some UNLF cadres have participated in the ethnic violence that has plagued the state over the past three years, providing logistical support to factions that have directly attacked security forces.
In July, an ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy near the Myanmar border resulted in the deaths of two soldiers. While no group claimed responsibility for the attack, there are suspicions of G-5 involvement. Authorities have confiscated materials from the suspects, which are currently under investigation. Additionally, many G-5 members are allegedly recruiting local youth and sending them to training camps in Myanmar. A recent operation successfully dismantled one such recruitment module.
