Manipur unrest: NIA makes 1st arrest in civilians murder case

GUWAHATI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a militant, who is currently lodged in an Assam jail in connection with a case, for his alleged involvement in the killing of four civilians in Manipur’s Bishnupur district earlier this year, the probe agency said in a statement on Sunday. It is the first arrest in the gruesome civilian killing case of Manipur which is embroiled in communal clashes since last year.
According to the statement, Lunminsei Kipgen alias Langinmang alias Mang alias Levi, a resident of Manipur, was formally arrested by the investigating agency from the central jail here on Saturday under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and the Arms Act.
The NIA stated he is the first accused to be arrested for the gruesome killings that had taken place on January 18, when armed assailants brutally murdered four civilians near the water treatment plant located at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou in Bishnupur. “The assailants had opened indiscriminate fire from sophisticated weapons, leading to the tragic death of the civilians on the fateful afternoon,” the probe agency said.
Of the four deceased was an elderly person, Oinam Bamonjao Singh (63). The others were identified as Thiyam Somen Singh (50), Ningthoujam Nabadip Meetei (39) and Oinam Manitomba Singh (32).
During its investigation, the agency found that Kipgen was actively involved in the fatal attack, “which was part of the ongoing unrest and violence in the northeastern state of Manipur”.
The agency further said “previously a cadre of the Kuki militant outfit KNF (P), Kipgen had joined another Kuki militant organisation, United Kuki National Army (UKNA), during the current spate of violence and had participated in the ghastly killings”.
The NIA had registered a case on February 9 under sections 302, 153A and 34 of IPC, 16 and 18 of the UA(P) Act and relevant sections under the Arms Act, 1959, in connection with the killings.
The case was initially registered at the Bishnupur police station. Later, the Centre, considering the gravity of the offence and other relevant factors, directed the NIA to take up the case.
Further investigation is underway, the NIA statement added.