Imphal/New Delhi, 9 June (H.S.): Three insurgents were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for their alleged involvement in an attack on a police post in Moreh, Manipur, where two commandos were killed in January 2024. Among those detained is a member of the Kuki National Army (KNA), which is bound by a suspension of operations (SoO) agreement that mandates insurgents remain in designated camps with weapons stored securely and under joint monitoring. This incident marks the second recorded breach of SoO rules by Kuki insurgents in Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis began in May 2023.

The insurgents, Kamginthang Gangte and Hentinthang Kipgen, were apprehended in Imphal and are identified as participants in the Moreh attack. The main accused, Thangminlen Mate, also connected to the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal insurgent group, is noted for orchestrating the assault and was arrested in Assam. Previous violations of the SoO agreement were reported by Manipur Police in September 2024 following a gunfight that claimed the lives of three Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) members. Over 260 people have died, and around 50,000 remain displaced due to ongoing ethnic violence in the region, with both Meitei and Kuki groups accusing each other of concealing insurgents' involvement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar