IMPHAL, Oct 29: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken into custody Thongminthang Haokip, also known as Thangboi Haokip or Roger, a 38-year-old cadre of the Kuki National Front-Military Council (KNF-MC). Haokip’s arrest is linked to the April 27 assault on CRPF personnel in Naranseina, Bishnupur district, Manipur, in which two jawans were killed and two others were injured, reportedly by Kuki militants.
Haokip was initially detained by an NIA team from Delhi at Imphal’s Bir Tikendrajit International Airport on June 6. He was suspected of being involved in a transnational conspiracy by insurgent groups to incite violence across Manipur and terrorize the northeastern region of India. Following the NIA’s application to the Special Court, NIA Manipur on October 24, permission was granted to formally charge Haokip in the April attack, with his custody extended until October 28.
The Special Public Prosecutor (PP) revealed that the NIA registered this case on June 13, 2024, based on orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs after an FIR was filed at Moirang police station regarding the CRPF attack. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. on April 27, when CRPF personnel stationed near the 2nd IRB camp in Naranseina were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of two and injuries to two more.
Since his arrest, Haokip has been held at District Jail, Rohini, New Delhi. Through technical analysis of his mobile data, including tower dumps, call detail records (CDR), and subscriber data, the NIA linked him to the crime scene. Investigators discovered a mobile phone at the site, which had been in frequent contact with Haokip’s phone, placing both at the scene during the incident.
During two prior interrogations at Rohini Jail, Haokip allegedly admitted to leading over 18 militants in the attack, according to the Special PP’s court briefing.
