The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key accused in a case relating to a transnational conspiracy by insurgents and terrorist gangs to exacerbate the Manipur violence and spread terror in the north-eastern states, NIA stated in a press release.

Thongminthang Haokip @Thangboi Haokip @ Roger (KNF-MC) was arrested from Imphal Airport on 6th June 2024 under various sections of IPC and UA(P) Act in case RC-24/2023/NIA/DLI, which was registered suo moto by NIA on 19th July last year.

According to the Agency, the conspiracy had been hatched by Kuki and Zomi insurgents backed by terrorist organisations based in the northeastern states and in neighbouring Myanmar with the aim to exploit the current ethnic unrest in the region and wage war against the government of India through violent attacks.

NIA has said that Haokip was involved in attacks on security forces at various places during the ongoing insurgency and violence. He 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, it added.

Further, NIA investigations have revealed the accused had met the leaders of PDF/KNF-B (Myanmar) for supply of arms, ammunition and explosives for use in the current phase of violence in Manipur. The Agency informed that Haokip has admitted to have participated in several armed attacks against security forces and on the opposite group in the current crisis in the state. He has also admitted being member of Kuki National Front- Military Council (KNF-MC) and United Tribal Volunteers (UTV), it added.

NIA said that further investigations are continuing to identify and track others involved in the conspiracy and scuttle the terrorist outfits’ plans to destroy the peace and stability of the north-eastern region.