Manipur Police arrest three linked to Sangai Festival bomb threat video

Imphal: A joint team from the central paramilitary forces and the Manipur police has arrested three individuals, including a woman associated with an underground outfit, for their alleged involvement in a bomb threat video posted on Facebook.

The arrestees were reportedly involved in anti-social activities, including extortion and issuing bomb threats during the ongoing Sangai Festival, a ten-day extravaganza.

The Manipur Police morning bulletin issued on Thursday stated that, during a follow-up investigation into a threat video posted on Facebook by the user “Metei Lanmi Naotyboy” on November 21, 2025, regarding bombing the Sangai Festival 2025, three persons were apprehended. The state police and Assam Rifles personnel, in separate operations, arrested three active cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party – Meeyamgyee Phingang Lanmee, who were involved in the incident.

The arrestees were identified as:
i) Laishram Sonia Devi (31), a resident of Okram Chuthek, Imphal East district, who was arrested from her residence (she was involved in extortion activities);
ii) Salam Luwangnganba Meetei, also called Ibungo (22), of Tera Sadokpam Leikai; and
iii) Phamdom Phampok Meitei/Ajay/Abungcha (29) of Wangjing Bazar, Thoubal district (he was involved in planning to hurl grenades at the ongoing Sangai Festival 2025).

The police bulletin added that further investigation is underway.

Notably, the underground group Kangleipak Communist Party–Military Council (KCP-MC) has boycotted the ongoing Sangai Festival 2025 at various venues across the state.

The festival, which began on November 21, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on November 30, is regarded as the grandest celebration in the state and plays a pivotal role in promoting Manipur as a world-class tourism destination.

It is a ten-day extravaganza that immerses visitors in the region’s art, music, handicrafts, indigenous sports, cuisine and adventure activities.