Indian Investigation Agency arrests person for conspiracy to intensify violence in Manipur – JURIST

The National Investigation Agency of India (NIA) on Thursday arrested Thongminthang Haokip in connection with a transnational conspiracy to intensify violence in Manipur. The arrests were made under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

According to the NIA, the conspiracy can be traced to Kuki insurgents, including the Kuki National Front (KNF). The KNF is based in Manipur and neighboring Myanmar and aims to “take advantage of the current ethnic unrest in the region and wage war against the Indian government through violent attacks.” The NIA stated that the arrested man was part of this conspiracy and was involved in armed attacks on security forces and in smuggling arms and ammunition for them.

The NIA added that it was continuing its investigation into the conspiracy and those involved in it.

The violence in Manipur stems from long-standing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and the Kuki, the state’s two dominant ethnic groups. The Meitei community, predominantly Hindu, makes up more than half of the state’s population. The Kuki community, predominantly Christian, is the largest tribal population. Most Kuki migrated from what is now Myanmar centuries ago.

Tensions escalated into full-blown conflict in May 2023 after the Meiteis demanded Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which would subject them to positive discrimination in government positions. The Kuki, who already had ST status, feared this would further marginalize them. The conflict manifested itself in the form of riots, horrific sexual violence, and an internet shutdown by the government.