NIA arrests key accused part of transnational conspiracy to exacerbate violence in Manipur

PTI, Jun 6, 2024, 8:42 PM IST

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested a key accused from Imphal airport in a case relating to a transnational conspiracy by insurgents and terrorist outfits to exacerbate violence in Manipur and spread terror in the northeastern state.

Thongminthang Haokip alias Thangboi Haokip alias Roger, a member of Kuki National Front-Military Council (KNF-MC), has been arrested under various sections of Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in a case registered suo motu by the NIA on July 19 last year, the NIA said in a statement.

“The conspiracy had been hatched by Kuki and Zomi insurgents backed by terrorist organisations based in the northeastern states and in neighbouring Myanmar with the aim to exploit the current ethnic unrest in the region and wage war against the government of India through violent attacks, as per NIA investigations,” it said.

The accused was found to have been involved in attacks on security forces at various places during the ongoing insurgency and violence, said the statement.

Roger was in touch with the insurgent group, Kuki National Front-Burma (KNF-B) of Myanmar, for logistics support to aggravate the volatile situation in the state of Manipur and create terror in the minds of the people, it said.

“NIA investigations have revealed the accused had met the leaders of PDF/KNF-B (Myanmar) for supply of arms, ammunition and explosives for use in the current phase of violence in Manipur,” the statement said.

He has admitted to have participated in several armed attacks against security forces and on the opposite group in the current crisis in the state.

“He has also admitted being a member of Kuki National Front- Military Council and United Tribal Volunteers (UTV),” it added.

Further investigations are continuing to identify and track others involved in the conspiracy and scuttle the terrorist outfits’ plans to destroy the peace and stability of the northeastern region, the NIA said.

At least 219 people have been killed in the ethnic strife that erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.