The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended three insurgents in connection with a deadly attack on security forces in Manipur that resulted in the death of two police commandos and injuries to several others. The arrests, announced on Sunday, mark a significant development in the investigation into the January 17, 2024, incident that occurred in the Moreh area of Tengnoupal district.
Among those arrested is Thangminlen Mate, identified as a key figure in the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT), an insurgent group. Mate was apprehended on May 19, 2025, in Silchar, Assam. He was produced before the NIA Court in Guwahati and has been in judicial custody in Guwahati Central Jail since May 28. The other two accused are Kamginthang Gangte, a member of the Kuki National Army (KNA), and Hentinthang Kipgen, also known as Thangneo Kipgen, who is associated with the Village Volunteers group in the Churachandpur district. They were arrested in Imphal on June 6 and were presented before a Duty Magistrate, who granted a transit remand until June 9 for their transfer to the NIA Special Court in Guwahati.
According to the NIA, the three men, along with other associates, had planned, conspired, and executed the attack on an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) post and security forces in Moreh. The NIA's investigation is ongoing, and they are continuing their search for other individuals involved in the attack.
The arrest of Thangminlen Mate, a member of the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal, is particularly noteworthy because the KNA is one of the Kuki rebel groups that has a ceasefire agreement with the government. However, the NIA considers KIT an insurgent group. The Kuki community asserts that village volunteers have taken up arms to protect their villages from potential attacks.
News of the arrests has already stirred reactions within Manipur. Kuki organizations reportedly enforced a "shutdown" in Moreh on Saturday to protest the arrests. The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights has condemned the NIA's actions and demanded the immediate release of those "arbitrarily arrested."
The arrests come at a sensitive time in Manipur, which has experienced ethnic tensions and violence, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict has resulted in numerous deaths and displacements, leading to the imposition of President's Rule in the region. The NIA's actions highlight the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order and address the underlying issues contributing to the unrest.
The central government is expected to hold a meeting with leaders from Kuki insurgent groups who are part of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with the government since 2008. The NIA had last month charge sheeted three more accused in a case relating to the trafficking and supply of illegal arms, ammunition and explosives to insurgents in Mizoram. The three, Vanlaldailova, Lalmuanpuia and Lalrinchhunga alias Albert, all hail from Mizoram. They were arrested on December 6, 2024, following the seizure of arms, ammunition and explosive materials during searches at their residences. Investigations revealed that all three accused had played significant roles in supporting terrorist activities and aggravating ethnic violence in Manipur through the distribution of arms to insurgent groups and raising funds for procuring weapons for terror activities, threatening public order and national integrity.
