Pambei-led UNLF refutes claims of police
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 25 2025: The Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has denied allegations against its central committee member (CCM) Sinam Pankhei alias Somendro, calling the Manipur police's charge of arm smuggling "baseless and false propaganda" .

In a statement, the Front claimed that the four pistols seized from its CCM - two 9mm pistols (Smith & Wesson), one 9mm pistol (Sig Sauer), and a Glock 19 pistol were issued to his personal security officers as per the approval of the Peace Monitoring Committee (PMC) formed in line with the peace agreement signed between the Government of India and the outfit.

The outfit further claimed that JD Taurus pistol 7.65mm and Falcom Cal 7.62mm which were also seized from Pankhei were licensed guns.

The Keltec pistol (.32mm), Beretta pistol, and FN Browning pistol, on the other hand, were seized while preparing for storage in the outfit's armoury, it claimed and disputed the police's claim regarding the M-20 Falcon pistol, stating it was not seized from its CCM and had no connection to the outfit.

The outfit went on to claim that the Manipur police's attempt to portray arms issued as per the Peace Monitoring Committee's guidelines as a criminal seizure exposes their "habit of arresting people first and then concocting charges for reward" .

The Front also claimed that the three other individuals - Konthoujam Opendro alias Ibomcha, Tokpam Tomcha, and Keithelakpam Saratchandra who were arrested from Babupara along with arms have no connection with the outfit whatsoever.

Further claiming that one Md Islam alias Atappa from Hayellabuk Mayai Leikai who was arrested from Lilong Hangamthabi, is not a member of the outfit, the Front clarified that there is no unit of the outfit known as UNLF (Ningolmacha), dismissing any such affiliations.

It urged the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to immediately stop portraying the outfit in the wrong light.

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