India, May 14 -- At least 18 people, including active members of banned insurgent outfits, illegal arms dealers, and drug peddlers, were arrested in a series of coordinated operations carried out by security forces and police across Manipur on Tuesday.

A police statement issued from Manipur Police said that in one operation in Imphal East district, three illegal arms dealers were arrested from Pukhao Ahallup Makha Leikai. Among them was an active cadre of the United National Liberation Front-Pambei (UNLF-Pambei) faction, which had signed a peace agreement with the government in November 2023. Recovered items included an INSAS rifle, ammunition, mobile phones, and identity cards.

In Thoubal district, two active members of the banned Kang...