Thongminthang Haokip @ Thangboi Haokip @ Roger was in touch with the insurgent group, Kuki National Front (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”.
TFM Desk
National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday claimed that it had arrested a key Kuki militant commander from Imphal Airport. While NIA has given the reasons for his arrest, it did not mention the details of how he was held from Imphal Airport. The Kuki militant was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into a transnational conspiracy by insurgents and terrorist gangs aimed at intensifying the violence in Manipur and spreading terror across the north-eastern states.
As per a press release issued by NIA, the arrested individual, identified as Thongminthang Haokip, also known as Thangboi Haokip or Roger (KNF-MC), has been apprehended under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act). The case, registered as RC-24/2023/NIA/DLI, was initiated suo moto by the NIA on 19th July last year.
As per the NIA version, the accused person was supposedly arrested from Imphal airport. However, the public using the social media platform questioned: “How a Kuki individual could roam around Imphal and come inside the airport?”. A reliable source on conditions of anonymity informed TFM, that Haokip was arrested from Churachandpur district a few days ago. Further, the accused person may have links with the attack at Naransena IRB post on April 27 last in which one CRPF personnel died on the spot. Sources also said that Haokip was arrested by CRPF and was handed over to the NIA later. NIA informed that a conspiracy “had been hatched by Kuki and Zomi insurgents backed by terrorist organisations based in the north-eastern states and in neighbouring Myanmar.” These groups aimed to exploit the ongoing ethnic unrest in the region to wage war against the Indian government through violent attacks, said the NIA.
Thongminthang Haokip was reportedly involved in multiple attacks on security forces during the ongoing insurgency and violence. He maintained contact with the Kuki National Front (KNF)-B of Myanmar for logistical support to further aggravate the volatile situation in Manipur and instill terror among the populace.
NIA investigations have revealed that the accused met with leaders of the PDF/KNF-B (Myanmar) to arrange for the supply of arms, ammunition, and explosives for use in the current phase of violence in Manipur. “He has admitted to having participated in several armed attacks against security forces and on the opposite group in the current crisis in the state,” the NIA stated. Additionally, he has acknowledged his membership in the Kuki National Front- Military Council (KNF-MC) and United Tribal Volunteers (UTV).
The NIA is continuing to investigate so as to to identify and track other individuals involved in the conspiracy, with the aim of thwarting the terrorist outfits’ plans to undermine peace and stability in the Northeastern region of India.