Imphal: Security forces in Manipur have arrested 17 men after finding that they were allegedly staying at a designated militant camp using fake identities. The men had claimed to be registered cadres of Kuki armed groups covered by the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement.
The arrests were made during a joint operation at Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi district on October 23. The team included Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force’s Quick Action Team and CoBRA personnel.
During checks at the camp, security personnel recovered 24 firearms, 38 magazines, a large quantity of ammunition, explosives, wireless communication sets and other combat-related equipment. Police said the seizure was made after verification of the people present at the camp.
Of the 17 arrested, eight were allegedly posing as cadres of the Kuki National Army (KNA), while nine claimed to be members of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA). Police said all of them were using false identities, as reported by NDTV.
Police said that during verification, 17 individuals were found impersonating registered SoO cadres (8 KNA and 9 KLA) using false identities. All 17 were arrested.
Case And Custody
A case has been registered against the accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act and the Explosive Substances Act. A court has sent them to police custody for eight days, till October 31. Their medical examinations have also been completed.
Investigators will look into how the men entered the camp, whether they had any connection with the armed groups, and who was in possession of the weapons and equipment recovered from the site. The police have not yet said why the accused allegedly used fake identities.
The operation has raised fresh questions about checks at SoO-designated camps and whether camp authorities followed the required ground rules. Police said the possible role of camp functionaries would also be examined.
Scrutiny After Killings
The action at Sinai Camp came days after three Meitei civilians were killed near Sunurok Hill, close to the Imphal East–Kangpokpi district border, on October 19. The victims were reportedly gathering firewood when they were attacked.
Khundrakpam MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh had alleged that the attack may have been carried out from the nearby Sinai Camp. He demanded the camp’s removal and action against those behind the killings. The incident led to protests and renewed concern over tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Police, however, have not established any direct connection between the 17 arrested men and the October 19 killings. The investigation into the civilian deaths and the camp operation are being treated separately.
The development has also put the spotlight on the SoO arrangement. Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam has said the agreement expired on September 4, 2026, and was not renewed. He has also said the arrangement did not allow fresh recruitment.
Police are now checking how the 17 men reached the camp, whether they were connected to the armed groups there, and who owned or controlled the weapons and equipment seized from the site.
Imphal: Security forces in Manipur have arrested 17 men after finding that they were allegedly staying at a designated militant camp using fake identities. The men had claimed to be registered cadres of Kuki armed groups covered by the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement.
The arrests were made during a joint operation at Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi district on October 23. The team included Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force’s Quick Action Team and CoBRA personnel.
During checks at the camp, security personnel recovered 24 firearms, 38 magazines, a large quantity of ammunition, explosives, wireless communication sets and other combat-related equipment. Police said the seizure was made after verification of the people present at the camp.
Of the 17 arrested, eight were allegedly posing as cadres of the Kuki National Army (KNA), while nine claimed to be members of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA). Police said all of them were using false identities, as reported by NDTV.
Police said that during verification, 17 individuals were found impersonating registered SoO cadres (8 KNA and 9 KLA) using false identities. All 17 were arrested.
Case And Custody
A case has been registered against the accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act and the Explosive Substances Act. A court has sent them to police custody for eight days, till October 31. Their medical examinations have also been completed.
Investigators will look into how the men entered the camp, whether they had any connection with the armed groups, and who was in possession of the weapons and equipment recovered from the site. The police have not yet said why the accused allegedly used fake identities.
The operation has raised fresh questions about checks at SoO-designated camps and whether camp authorities followed the required ground rules. Police said the possible role of camp functionaries would also be examined.
Scrutiny After Killings
The action at Sinai Camp came days after three Meitei civilians were killed near Sunurok Hill, close to the Imphal East–Kangpokpi district border, on October 19. The victims were reportedly gathering firewood when they were attacked.
Khundrakpam MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh had alleged that the attack may have been carried out from the nearby Sinai Camp. He demanded the camp’s removal and action against those behind the killings. The incident led to protests and renewed concern over tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Police, however, have not established any direct connection between the 17 arrested men and the October 19 killings. The investigation into the civilian deaths and the camp operation are being treated separately.
The development has also put the spotlight on the SoO arrangement. Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam has said the agreement expired on September 4, 2026, and was not renewed. He has also said the arrangement did not allow fresh recruitment.
Police are now checking how the 17 men reached the camp, whether they were connected to the armed groups there, and who owned or controlled the weapons and equipment seized from the site.
