Manipur violence | NIA arrests Hmar men in Jiribam killing case, Kuki-Meitei groups react

Guwahati: A few days after questions by the Manipur High Court, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two persons belonging to the Hmar community for their alleged involvement in the killing of three women and three children from the Meitei community in Jiribam district in November last year.

The arrest triggered objections by several Kuki-Zo-Hmar organisations in Manipur who described the arrest as "arbitrary" and "selective action." A Meitei organisation, however, contrasted the claims.

The NIA on Wednesday evening said it arrested the "key conspirator" Thanglienlal Hmar alias Boya, a resident of Moinathol Dilkshosh Ghaat in Cachar district of neighbouring Assam. The NIA said investigation revealed that Hmar was actively involved in the conspiracy and execution of the "horrendous" crime.

On Friday night, NIA said it arrested another accused identified as Lalrosang Hmar alias Rosang from Mizoram capital Aizawl. Hmar, arrested on Thursday, is a resident of Moinathol village at Dilkhosh Grant in Assam's Cachar district.

"Like Thanglienlal, Lalrosang was also an active conspirator in the heinous crime. NIA has recovered from him a mobile phone, along with a SIM card, and is examining the same as part of its continuing investigation in the case," the NIA said in a statement.

The arrest in the case came days after Manipur High Court questioned the NIA as to why no action has been taken in the case and asked the agency to submit a status report and chargesheets in the case.

The abduction and subsequent killing of three Meitei women and children taking shelter in a relief camp at Borebekra area triggered outrage in the Meitei-dominated Valley. The bodies were recovered later from the Barak river.

The incident took place after a Hmar woman was killed allegedly by Meitei armed persons and killing of 10 "armed persons" belonging to Hmar communities by CRPF personnel during an alleged gunfight in Jiribam. Kuki-Zo-Hmars share ethnic affinity.

Groups reacts NIA action:

As news about Thanglienlal's arrest was made public by the NIA, several organisations representing the Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities issued statements calling it "arbitrary."

Hmar Inpi, Kuki Zo Council and Pherzawl and Jiribam unit of Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee issued seperate statements claiming that the person arrested by the NIA was not involved in the crime and is an "innocent civilian."

Calling the NIA arrest an example of "selective action," the Kuki Zo Council asked why no arrests have been made in connection with the killing of 10 Hmar youths, beheading of a Kuki youth David Thiek, besides in some other cases.

Reacting to the statements by the Kuki-Hmar organisations, Meitei Heritage Society contrasted the claims and pointed out that many Meiteis have been arrested in the case related to killing of the Hmar woman in Jiribam. "The CBI filed chargesheets against the accused belonging to Meitei community in the case related to naked parading of two Kuki women. Even Meitei women burnt the house of the accused," said the Meitei Heritage Society.