The NIA said the latest arrests were made as part of its probe into the alleged conspiracy behind the attack
KRC TIMES Assam Bureau
IMPHAL/GUWAHATI | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three people in two separate Manipur cases, including two alleged accused in the June 2024 armed ambush on the convoy of the then Chief Minister and another in an IED attack that killed two children.
In the convoy ambush case, the NIA arrested 44-year-old Jangminlun Singson alias Franky and 21-year-old Thangjoel Haokip alias Thangboi. The agency said they are the third and fourth accused arrested in connection with the attack.
The ambush took place on June 10, 2024, when the convoy of the then Chief Minister was travelling through Kangpokpi district. The incident had raised security concerns along the route connecting Imphal with the state’s hill districts.
The NIA said the latest arrests were made as part of its probe into the alleged conspiracy behind the attack. The agency is investigating the wider network and the possible involvement of other people.
In a separate case, the NIA arrested 48-year-old Thangmang Haokip of Churachandpur on September 25 in connection with an IED attack at Tronglaobi in April that killed two children and injured another person.
Haokip is the second accused arrested in the case. The NIA had earlier arrested S Palal Thadou Kuki on August 12. He is currently in judicial custody.
According to the agency, the attack took place on April 7 when unidentified militants allegedly launched an explosive device from a hillside towards a house at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai. The device struck the residence, seriously injuring three members of a family. Two children later died of their injuries.
An unexploded improvised rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was also recovered near the site, the NIA said.
The case was initially registered at Moirang police station and was later re-registered by the NIA on April 23 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Following his arrest, Haokip was produced before the Special NIA Court-II in Imphal, which remanded him to 12 days of police custody.
The NIA said investigations in both cases are continuing to identify other alleged conspirators and establish the wider networks behind the attacks.
