NIA arrests deepen Manipur crisis as former CM flags possible wider network
Imphal: Fresh arrests by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with an armed ambush on the convoy of former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh have deepened concerns over the organised nature of the violence and instability that has gripped Manipur for more than three years.
The latest developments are significant as the June 10, 2024 attack targeted the convoy of the then chief minister himself. The convoy was ambushed on National Highway-37 near K Sinam village in Kangpokpi district, leaving two Indian forces personnel seriously injured and government vehicles damaged.
The NIA on September 29 arrested two more alleged accused in the case, identified as Jangminlun Singson alias Franky, 44, and Thangjoel Haokip alias Thangboi, 21, both residents of Churachandpur district. They were produced before a special NIA court in Thoubal and remanded to eight days’ police custody.
The agency said the investigation was aimed at establishing their links with other members of the alleged conspiracy and identifying further persons involved.
Reacting to the arrests, Biren Singh questioned whether those involved were acting independently or whether a “larger network with political interests” had been working to destabilise Manipur and undermine the elected government. He called for every link and alleged conspiracy to be investigated.
Singh also linked the alleged perpetrators of the convoy ambush with the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), according to his statement, and referred to the April 2026 Tronglaobi Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Bishnupur district, in which two children were killed and their mother seriously injured.
Meanwhile, Indian forces detained a senior cadre of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive Organisation) (PRE-PAK (PRO)) in Kamjong district on September 30 following intelligence inputs about his alleged movement into Manipur from Myanmar.
Officials identified him as 56-year-old Moirangthem Boboy Singh alias Laingam, a self-styled captain of the outfit, and alleged that he was involved in recruiting four teenage youths from Bishnupur district and taking them to Myanmar.
Further investigation is underway.
A Manipur civil-society assessment marking three years of the conflict reported at least 217 deaths and 58,821 displaced people, along with thousands of houses damaged or destroyed.
Biren Singh resigned as chief minister in February 2025, after which President’s Rule was imposed; it was lifted in February 2026 with the swearing-in of Yumnam Khemchand Singh as chief minister.
