The Special Task Force (STF) of the state police has apprehended a man in Assam for allegedly sourcing and supplying drone parts to an armed group based in the valley areas of Manipur.
The suspect, Sanjib Kumar Mishra, a resident of Noonmati in Guwahati, was arrested for his involvement in this illicit activity. According to sources, the STF seized a substantial cache of drone parts from his possession. Mishra has been charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
STF sources revealed that Mishra had been under surveillance for some time, with the task force closely monitoring his movements. The operation to apprehend him was meticulously planned and executed as he prepared to dispatch the drone parts to the insurgent group in Manipur. This proactive measure highlights the dedication and commitment of law enforcement authorities to thwart such illicit activities in the state.
This arrest is seen as a crucial step in preventing terror logistics from reaching Manipur, which has been embroiled in a deadly ethnic conflict since last year. The violent dispute involves the valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes from the hilly regions of Manipur. Armed groups from both communities have reportedly used drones to monitor each other’s activities.
In a related incident last week, the STF arrested Khaigoulen Kipgen, a 27-year-old resident of Gamngai village in Manipur’s Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district. Kipgen was intercepted at a toll gate in Sonapur on National Highway 27, near Guwahati, carrying 10 high-end drone batteries allegedly intended for a terror group. However, the Kuki filmmakers’ association in Manipur refuted these allegations, stating that Kipgen is a renowned member of their association and had purchased the batteries for professional use.
