Minors abducted for banned outfit freed, two held in Manipur

Imphal: Security forces have arrested two active women cadres of the banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) for their alleged involvement in the abduction of three minors, reportedly intended to be recruited into the outfit, officials said on Wednesday, adding that the three children were also rescued safely.According to Manipur Police, the arrests were made on Monday after an investigation into the abduction of three children the previous day from Kakching Khunou Ngaikhong Leikai under Waikhong police station in Kakching district.Officials said preliminary investigations revealed that the children were kidnapped with the intention of inducting them into the militant group.The arrested cadres have been identified as Khundrakpam Ongbi Ningthoujam Roshidiya (24) of Khangabok Khulakpam Leikai, Thoubal district, and Lisham Ongbi Bidya (30) of Thoubal Haokha Maning Leikai, also in Thoubal district.All three children were rescued from Uchiwa Awang Leikai in Imphal West and handed over to their parents. During the operation, security forces recovered a car, reportedly used in the kidnapping. Authorities said efforts are underway to trace and arrest other accomplices involved in the abduction and recruitment attempt.In a separate operation on Tuesday, security forces arrested a drug peddler, identified as Nantu Deb (44) of Karimganj district in Assam. He was arrested from Nepali Khuti along National Highway-2 under Senapati police station in Senapati district. Security personnel seized 11.3kg of opium, a vehicle and two mobile phones from his possession.