Imphal, Oct 6: The security forces in Manipur have arrested four militants belonging to two different banned outfits, two extortionists, and two drug peddlers, and recovered drugs worth Rs 6 crore during the past 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

A police official said that the security forces, as part of their ongoing crackdown on outlawed militant groups, had arrested four militants belonging to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)/Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) from Bishnupur and Imphal West Districts.

Manipur’s one of the oldest militant outfits, PLA, is mostly active in the Imphal valley region with its political wing, RPF.

The arrested rebels were involved in recruiting youths for RPF/PLA, in extortion from people and government officials in the Imphal valley region and mediation through intimidation between parties in cases of loan recovery.

One of the four arrested militants, identified as self-styled Lieutenant of RPF/PLA Khangembam Manglemba Singh alias Sunny (46), would monitor the movement and presence of security personnel and share the information with his outfit.

The official said the security forces arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Mohammad Ethem Khan and Raju Khan, from their respective residences at Heingang in Imphal East district.

From their possession, two kg of highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs six crore and cash amounting to over Rs 38 lakh were recovered.

Manipur Police arrested two persons who were involved in extortion from vehicles plying on the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2).

They were identified as Sarangthem Dinesh Singh (29) and Khundrakpam Mohen Singh (25) and arrested from Keinou bazar under Bishnupur district. From their possession, a two-wheeler and a mobile phone were recovered.

The official said that the security forces continue to conduct search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable areas across districts.

The movement of 346 vehicles carrying essential items along Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) has been ensured without any incident.

Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations, and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of vehicles. According to the official, a total of 115 nakas/checkpoints were set up in different districts, both in the hills and the valley region, to prevent untoward and illegal movements of inimical elements and suspected vehicles.

Kolkata, Oct 6: BJP Maldaha Uttar MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh were brutally attacked by miscreants on Monday while on their way to meet the North Bengal landslides-affected people and distribute relief materials.

While Ghosh sustained minor bruises, the two-time BJP MP sustained serious injuries to his face and head.

The incident took place in Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal. The BJP MP was seen covered in blood, with a big injury on the left side of his face.

The BJP MP was immediately rushed to a primary health centre for treatment. The miscreants also pelted stones at their vehicles and continued to attack with slippers, sticks and bricks until they were escorted out of the area by their security guards.

In a video message from his convoy, which was attacked by the miscreants, BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh said, “This is how we have been attacked. Not a single window of our car is intact. People pelted stones and bricks at us. Our MP is seriously injured. Total anarchy is prevailing in West Bengal.”

Following the attack on the BJP MP, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari slammed the Mamata Banerjee government and Trinamool Congress for orchestrating the attack.

He wrote on his X handle, “Mamata Banerjee is on full Panic Mode. She has realized it (quite late) that the people of West Bengal have despised her inhuman act of ‘Dancing at Carnival with Celebrities’ when North Bengal was reeling under floods and landslides, with many people losing their lives and thousands left shelterless.”

“In contrast, @BJP4Bengal MLAs & MPs were on ground doing their bit to provide relief to the affected People. So, she has now pressed the panic button and has now unleashed her goons belonging from the ‘Special Community’ and incited them to attack the BJP MPs and MLAs so that they can be refrained from engaging in relief work,” he said.

The BJP leader further said, “MP Shri Khagen Murmu was brutally attacked and has been left with bloody injuries in Nagrakata today when he was accompanying @BJP4Bengal President Shri Samik Bhattacharya to the flood affected areas. MLA Dr Shankar Ghosh’s vehicle also came under attack in the presence of Police. Mamata Banerjee, you can’t intimidate BJP.”

Following days of incessant rain, which resulted in massive landslides killing at least 23 people as reported till Monday morning, the weather changed in the hills this morning. The rescue operations gained pace after the weather cleared, with many tourists, who were stranded, also coming down the hills.

Union Minister of State for Education and DoNER, Sukanta Majumdar, also slammed the Mamata Banerjee government for her failure to ensure security to an elected MP.

“Failed Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee, who, even after receiving news yesterday of the catastrophic devastation in North Bengal and the tragic loss of many lives, was seen celebrating on the Carnival stage at Red Road, has clearly shown how fearful she has become of the BJP West Bengal workers and leaders who have been tirelessly conducting rescue and relief operations on the ground since yesterday,” he said on his X handle.

“Today in Nagrakata, while BJP MP Shri @khagen_murmu and @ShankarGhoshBJP, MLA and the chief opposition whip in the West Bengal Assembly were inspecting flood-affected areas and distributing relief, they were brutally attacked in the presence of the Mamata-police. Chief Minister @MamataOfficial, the people of Bengal will never forget this cowardice and shamelessness. From yesterday until today, the people of Bengal will punish every one of your immoral and inhuman acts of brutality. Shame!” Majumdar added.

Rishab Shetty starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has done an exceptional business at the box office during its extended first weekend. The film took a bumper opening of Rs. 61.85 crore (all languages), but on Friday, it showed a drop of around 26% and collected Rs. 45.40 crore (all languages). However, once again on Saturday and Sunday, the movie showed a huge jump.

On its third day, the film collected Rs. 55 crore (all languages), and according to Sacnilk, on its day four, Sunday, Kantara 2 collected approximately Rs. 61.5 crore (all languages). So, during its extended first weekend, Kantara Chapter 1 has minted around Rs. 224.05 crore (all languages), which is an excellent amount.

While Kantara Chapter 1 is originally a Kannada film, it has been dubbed and released in multiple languages, including Hindi. The movie’s Hindi dubbed version has been getting a fantastic response. In fact it is performing better than the original version. In four days, the Hindi version has collected around Rs. 74 crore, which is surely a very good number.

However, now, all eyes are on Monday. It will be interesting to see if the film will pass the Monday test or not. While of course, there will be a drop, we can expect a double-digit number.

Kantara Chapter 1 is reportedly made on a budget of Rs. 125 crore. So, if we compare the budget and the collection, the movie is already a blockbuster.

Reviewer gave 3.5 stars to Kantara Chpater 1, and wrote, “Considering that Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1 is being released on Dussehra, it could just work in the film’s favour in addition to its loyal audience and word of mouth. The flip side, however, is the lack of required publicity and awareness of the film, which could act as a roadblock. Overall, if you want to experience the unfolding of cinema’s magic, this film earns our recommendation!”