Imphal: Security forces arrested seven militants belonging to four proscribed outfits in Manipur for their alleged involvement in bomb blasts and several illegal activities across the state, police said on Saturday.

An active cadre of the banned People's Liberation Army was apprehended from near the India-Myanmar border under the Moreh Police Station limits in Tengnoupal district on Thursday, a statement said.

Three other members of the proscribed outfit were arrested on March 26 from different areas in Imphal East for allegedly being involved in IED blasts targeting businessmen, it said.

Three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and two detonators were recovered from their possession, the police said.

Security forces on Friday arrested a cadre of the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party and another member of the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup in areas under the Moreh Police Station limits in Tengnoupal district, the police statement said.

One active cadre of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (P) was apprehended from his residence at Thangmeiband in Imphal West district on Friday, it said.

He has been named in an FIR, registered at Imphal Police Station, in connection with a bomb explosion in Sagolband Takhellambam Leikai area in 2022, the police said.

Security forces have been conducting search operations in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago.

More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.

PTI