Joint teams of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have arrested ten accused persons in connection with several high-profile cases under investigation in Manipur, including the 5th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) arms loot case, the murder of a Hmar woman in Jiribam, a bank robbery case, the killing of four Kuki individuals, an attack on CRPF personnel and an ambush on the Chief Minister’s convoy. According to an official police statement, the arrests were carried out during coordinated operations across multiple districts, including Imphal, Churachandpur and Ukhrul. Among those arrested were four persons identified by investigators as members of Arambai Tenggol in connection with the looting of firearms from the 5th IRB camp at Chingarel Tejpur in Imphal East district on February 13, 2024. The accused were identified as Haorokcham Manaocha, Mutum Naoba Singh, Kangabam Somananda Singh and Ningthoujam Momocha Singh alias Mocha.
The NIA stated that the case was initially registered at Lamlai Police Station under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act before being taken over by the agency in July 2025 on the directions of the Central Government. Investigators said the four accused were allegedly involved in a conspiracy to loot firearms from the battalion and played active roles in carrying out the incident. The arrests were made during a joint operation on June 19. According to the agency, the accused allegedly admitted their association with Arambai Tenggol and their involvement in the incident during questioning. They were later produced before a magistrate, and the NIA sought police custody for further interrogation. In a separate case, the NIA arrested two persons, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Manipur Police, in connection with the rape and murder of a Hmar woman in Jiribam district. The accused were identified as Salam Deepak Singh, an ASI posted with Manipur Police, and Ningthoujam Boboy Singh, both residents of Imphal West district.
According to the NIA, the victim, Zosangkim, wife of Ngurthansang of Jairolpokpi village in Jiribam district, was allegedly raped and burnt alive at her residence on the night of November 7, 2024. The agency said the crime was allegedly carried out by armed militants linked to Arambai Tenggol and the Manipur People’s Army. The case was originally registered at Jiribam Police Station and later transferred to the NIA following directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The agency stated that its investigation established the alleged involvement of the two accused in the crime, including acts related to arson and murder. Officials said information leading to the arrest of Ningthoujam Boboy Singh was received from the CRPF. During questioning, he allegedly provided details about the crime and named Salam Deepak Singh as another accused. The police officer was subsequently summoned for examination and later arrested. Both were produced before a magistrate and remanded to police custody for further investigation. The remaining four arrests were linked to other major cases being investigated by the NIA, including the Punjab National Bank robbery case in Ukhrul, the abduction and killing of four Kuki individuals, the attack on CRPF personnel at Narainsena on April 27, 2024, and the ambush on the convoy of the Chief Minister on June 10, 2024.
