Imphal : Five suspects have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the deadly mortar blast in Bishnupur district, Manipur Home Minister K Govindas Konthoujam confirmed on Wednesday.

Addressing reporters at the state secretariat in Mantripukhri, Konthoujam said the arrested individuals are members of the United Kuki National Liberation Army (UKNLA), a proscribed group that operates outside the ambit of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre.

The arrests are linked to the April 7 mortar attack in Bishnupur that killed two children-a five-year-old boy and a five-month-old infant-and left their mother injured, triggering widespread outrage across the state.

The Minister said the state government is maintaining close coordination with the NIA and confirmed that all five accused belong to the Kuki community. “Interrogation is currently underway,” he added.

Konthoujam also addressed a separate incident in Thinungei, where a clash broke out between locals and personnel of the Assam Rifles on Tuesday.

He said the confrontation stemmed from a misunderstanding after a team of Assam Rifles personnel, reportedly in plain clothes, was moving towards Kwakta to recover illegal drugs and weapons based on intelligence obtained from a previously detained trafficker at Imphal Airport.

According to the Minister, local residents intercepted the team, suspecting them of carrying illegal arms, which led to a physical altercation and injuries on both sides. During the clash, eight firearms were allegedly taken from the personnel, though all weapons have since been recovered.

 Konthoujam urged citizens to cooperate with authorities, stating that the government is aware of public concerns and is taking steps to stabilise the situation.

He also noted that outreach initiatives led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh in hill districts have received a positive response from sections of the Kuki community, with several development projects underway.

Meanwhile, protests demanding justice for the victims of the Bishnupur blast continue across multiple valley districts, keeping tensions high as investigations progress.