IT News
Imphal, Mar 13:
A team of combined security forces, operating under the supervision of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), apprehended three cadres of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) from the Kwakeithel area around 10:30 am. Sources revealed that among the detainees are two prominent figures: Th. Thoiba, also known as Sidabamapu, Chief of the Army of the armed group, and the Chief Intelligence Officer (CIO) Ingba.
It’s noteworthy that the Pambei-led UNLF had previously signed a peace deal with the government of India and the state government on November 29, 2023. The N. Biren Singh-led Manipur government warmly welcomed the UNLF led by Pambei for their role in the peace deal during a state-sponsored event held at Kangla in Imphal on December 2, 2023. This marked a historic moment as the Pambei-led UNLF became the first armed rebel group from Manipur to engage in such an agreement with the government.
According to sources, the three cadres, including the two officers, were apprehended under duress from the Kwakeithel area near Samadon Showroom at around 10 am by a significant number of security personnel. Subsequently, they were transported to the Army camp at Leimakhong in Imphal West district and later flown to Ahmedabad via a special flight around 12:30 pm today. However, whether the detainees were arrested or taken for questioning in connection with a case by the NIA is yet to be officially confirmed, as no arrest memo has been made public.
In response to the detention of the three cadres, security measures have been intensified in and around Imphal East and West districts. Bulletproof vehicles carrying heavily armed state security personnel and Assam Rifles troops were observed deployed at various locations in the Imphal area today. As of the time of this report, neither the state government nor the NIA has issued any statement regarding the reason for the detention of the three cadres. Concerns loom over the potential impact of these arrests on the existing peace deal with the government of India, though confirmation on this matter is pending.
