NIA arrests valley-based UNLF, KYKL militants for killing Hmar woman in Manipur's Jiribam

Guwahati: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two cadres of valley-based insurgent groups, United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) for their alleged involvement in the killing of Hmar woman in Manipur's Jiribam district in November 2023.

The NIA on Tuesday said the accused, Nongthombam Meiraba, hailing from Meitei-dominated Bishnupur district, was involved in the shooting of the woman, identified as Zosangkim. The other accused, Sagolsem Sanatomba alias Surchandra Singh of Thoubal district, was part of the team involved in the carnage.

Hmars are part of the greater Kuki-Zo community.

The two accused have been remanded to NIA custody till May 17 for thorough interrogation and investigation, said the NIA.

The killing of the Hmar woman triggered fresh tension in Jiribam, which remained by and large free from the Meitei-Kuki conflict that had roiled Manipur since May 2023. The husband of the woman alleged that she was raped and burnt alive but the post-mortem could not find evidence of rape as her mortal remains were badly burnt. Following this, at least 10 armed persons belonging to the Hmar community were killed during a gunbattle with the security forces.

Abduction, murder case

The NIA also arrested a cadre of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), another valley-based outfit, in a case related to abduction and murder of three persons in Imphal West district. The accused, identified as Waikhom Rohit Singh of Thoubal district, is now in judicial custody.

In November 2023, a CRPF team deployed on naka duty in Kangchup Chingkhong area of Imphal West district had detained a SUV. The vehicle was found carrying five persons belonging to Kuki community. A large mob of angry persons belonging to the rival community had then gathered and forcibly taken away four of the individuals while one had managed to escape. The bodies of three persons were recovered later.

The NIA had taken over the case in February 2024 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

More than 250 people have died due the ethnic conflict since May 2023. The state has remained under President's rule since February 13.