NIA arrests five in Bishnupur mortar blast that killed two children

Guwahati: Manipur Home Minister K Govindas Konthoujam said said that National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested five individuals in connection with the Bishnupur mortar blast that killed two minor children and injured their mother.

Talking to media persons in Imphal Konthoujam said the arrested persons belong to the United Kuki National Liberation Army (UKNLA).

This is an outlawed militant outfit



The home minister said, “We are in constant touch with the NIA. All the arrested individuals are from the Kuki community and belong to the militant outfit UKNLA"

Talking about an incident of Tuesday the home Minister said the confrontation was fallout of “misunderstanding”.

According to him, a team of Assam Rifles personnel, dressed in civilian clothes, was on its way to Kwakta to recover drugs and arms based on inputs from a drug peddler arrested earlier at Imphal Airport. Locals at Thinungei intercepted the team, suspecting them to be involved in illegal arms movement. The situation escalated, leading to an assault on the personnel and injuries on both sides. During the confrontation, eight weapons were reportedly snatched from the Assam Rifles team. “All the snatched weapons have since been recovered."

Around 18 civilians, including five women, were injured and a mob set fire to two security force vehicles in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Tuesday.

A senior police official stated that, acting on credible intelligence, a joint operation by the Central Industrial Security Force and Airport Police was carried out at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal, leading to the arrest of a suspected drug peddler, identified as Mohammad Sabir Ahamed, a resident of Moirang sub-division in Bishnupur district.

Following a thorough examination of Ahamed’s checked-in baggage, approximately 6.74 kg (including container weight) of suspected brown sugar, concealed inside six containers, was detected and seized. The accused, along with the seized contraband, was handed over to Singjamei Police Station, where a case has been registered for further investigation.

During preliminary interrogation, the accused revealed information about a concealed cache of arms and ammunition in the Kwakta area of Bishnupur district. Acting on this input, security forces moved towards the location.

However, while en route near Thinungei in Bishnupur district, the security team's movement was obstructed by local residents due to the spread of mischievous, unverified rumours about the identity and purpose of the personnel.

A mob soon gathered and blocked the security vehicles. The situation escalated when some members of the crowd turned violent, damaging and setting ablaze two vehicles associated with the security personnel. There were also attempts to detain the personnel, further aggravating the situation.

During the incident, 18 civilians, including five women, sustained injuries, and necessary medical assistance was provided.