17 ‘impersonating’ KNF, KLA cadres held, remanded; one passport seized Huge cache of arms, ammunition seized at Sinai camp

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 24 :  In a major crackdown on Kuki armed groups, security forces seized 24 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, explosive devices and a large number of combat gears during a four-day-long joint cordon-and-search operation at Sinai camp at Semol village under Saikul police station in Kangpokpi district.
According to sources, those who impersonated KLA and KNA cadres are Limnial Dimngel (43) of Ichaigojang Village, Saikul, Kangpokpi; Thangvanglen Guite (19) of   Sahumphai Village, Sugnu, Kakching; Thangminlun Haokip (20) of Misaolhahvum, Chura-chandpur; Nehial Haokip (19) of Twichin, Saikul in Kangpokpi; Lunkhogin Touthang (33) of Val-pabung, Saikul, Kangpokpi; Laldenga Manlun (20) of Somjang near Khamenlok in Kangpokpi; Kamlenmang Khongsai (40) of Saikul, Kangpokpi; Lalkhohao Vai-phei (18) of Saikul, Kang- pokpi; Seikhohao Touthang (53) of Molvom, Chura-chandpur; Thangkhohao Khongsai (47) of Saikul, Kangpokpi; Kamminlal Haokip (42) of Saikul, Kangpokpi; Seiminlen Mate (48) of Saikul, Kangpokpi; Onminlun Haokip (42) of  Yanongphai, Chura-chandpur; Thangoulin Mate (24) of Saikul, Kangpokpi; Seimang Haokip (19) of Saikul, Kangpokpi, Lunkhosei Baite alias Seiboi (27) of Lamlai Chingphei, Ukhrul and Letgoulen  Haokip (27) of Moreh Ward no 9.
Hindustan Times reported that of the 17 cadres listed, nine were found aged 10 or younger when the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement was signed in 2008. The estimates indicate that some were infants or toddlers at the time, while others were around nine or 10 years old.
Despite the Sinai camp being designated to house cadres of the Suspension of the Operation (SoO) pact, 17 persons allegedly impersonating as cadres of the SoO groups were found stationed there during the operation that began on October 20 and continued for around 90 hours.
SoO pact, a tripartite ceasefire agreement signed between the Centre, the State Government and over two dozen Kuki militant groups, technically expired on September 4 last, according to Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam.
According to sources, the individuals were initially detained after their identities did not match the list of cadres belonging to the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) associated with the camp.
Of the 17 individuals, eight impersonated as cadres of the KNA, while the remaining nine impersonated as cadres of the KLA.
All 17 individuals were formally arrested yesterday.
The whereabouts of the listed cadres of the camp remain unknown at the time of filing this report.
The 24 firearms seized included 13 AK rifles, one self-loading rifle (SLR), two Lathode guns, four Colt AR-15 Rifles and four G3 rifles.
Security forces also recovered 33 magazines of different types viz AK Rifle magazine (17), Colt AR-15 magazine (8), SLR magazine (1) and G-3 Rifle magazine (7).
The ammunition seized comprised 1,060 AK rifle rounds, 2,360 INSAS rifle rounds, 223 SLR rounds, 23 rounds of .303 ammunition and 287 blank rounds.
The explosive items recovered included four pumpi bombs, one tube-launching bomb and 12 rounds of Lathode gun ammunition. Apart from the weapons and ammunition, the search yielded a substantial quantity of combat gear and other items, including 67 helmets, 45 bulletproof jac-kets without plates, 37 pouches, seven knee guards, 31 camouflage dresses, five camouflage raincoats and 20 walkie-talkie sets.
Other items seized included mobile chargers, a monitor, a keyboard, a remote control, a landline telephone set, a router, jungle boots, black anklets, headphones, two Kuki Army flags, camouflage caps,  18 Kuki Army arm badges and 74 nameplates.
The security forces also recovered 78 identity cards bearing the designation 'C/O Sinai Camp' and 66 identity cards of the 3rd Battalion, Kuki Army Camp, Sinai (KNO/KNA), besides an ammunition box and five trunks.
A passport bearing the name of Helien Haokip, reportedly a resident of Phaicham Veng in Moreh, was also seized.
It is reported that the camp remains under the occupation of Central security forces.
Meanwhile, the 17 individuals arrested from Sinai camp have been remanded to police custody till October 31 by the Duty Magistrate, Imphal East, today.
The arrested individuals were produced before the Court in the afternoon by a team of Yaingangpokpi police station, which sought eight days' police custody remand for further investigation.
After hearing the submission of the Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) appearing for the State and perusing the case records, the Court remanded all 17 of them to police custody till October 31.
Further investigation is underway into the alleged impersonation, unauthorised possession of arms, possible involvement of camp functionaries and suspected violations of the SoO Ground Rules, said police.
Security forces have taken control of Sinai Camp, a designated camp for Kuki-Zo militants under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, and plan to audit all 14 designated camps across the State, senior security officials said on October 24, reports India Today NE.
The takeover comes amid questions over compliance with the nearly two-decade-old truce, which expired on September 4 and has not been renewed. The operation also follows the October 19 killing of three Meitei civilians near Nongshum.
Joint teams of Manipur Police and central armed police forces took complete control of Sinai Camp on Saturday after conducting a raid on Friday. A senior security official told PTI that the verification exercise would continue at all designated camps to establish the ground reality.
At Sinai Camp, security personnel found only one registered cadre against an expected strength of 159, along with 17 individuals who were not identified as cadres covered by the agreement.
Officials said explanations had been offered for the absence of the remaining registered cadres, including claims that some had gone home or were elsewhere. Their whereabouts are being verified through further investigation.
A senior security official said that although the agreement had expired, it had not been formally abrogated.
The official maintained that cadres covered by the arrangement and their weapons must remain in designated camps until a decision is taken on the agreement’s future. The decision on renewal rests with the Centre, the official added.
The SoO agreement was formally signed by the Centre, the Manipur Government and Kuki-Zo militant groups in August 2008. It covers groups under two umbrella organisations — the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) — and was intended to suspend hostilities and facilitate negotiations towards a political settlement.
Under its ground rules, cadres are required to remain in designated camps, refrain from violence and keep their weapons under prescribed security arrangements.
The agreement has faced growing opposition since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023. In February 2024, the Manipur Assembly adopted a resolution seeking its abrogation. Meitei organisations have also demanded the closure or relocation of SoO camps, alleging that militant groups covered by the truce have been involved in attacks on civilians and security forces. Naga organisations have likewise called for the agreement’s termination.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Friday that the agreement had expired on September 4 and had not been renewed. He suggested that public opposition to its continuation could be contributing to the delay.
The Statewide audit follows the killings near Nongshum, which have further heightened tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the killings, two of whom allegedly admitted participating in the attack, according to officials.
Konthoujam has said security operations would continue irrespective of community and would cover camps associated with Kuki, Meitei and Naga groups. The planned audit is expected to establish whether the discrepancy found at Sinai Camp is an isolated case or points to wider compliance issues under the SoO arrangement.