Search underway to arrest all suspects: Manipur home minister Konthoujam

Guwahati: Operations to arrest those involved in the killings of three civilians at Nongshum in Manipur's Kangpokpi district earlier this week are ongoing, state home minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Friday. He added that action would be taken against illegal armed groups irrespective of their community.

Govindas said three people had been arrested in connection with the killings and were suspected to belong to the Kuki National Front (KNF), although their faction had not yet been confirmed. He added that the investigation was ongoing. The home minister said the incident reflected a clear violation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, despite its non-renewal.

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Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters thronged Kangla in Imphal on Friday evening to take part in a mass protest organised by the Federation of Haomee, as part of its statewide "clanging and shouting" demonstration against the crisis in Manipur. The protesters took to traditional Kangla practices to express public anger over the killings.

Three Meitei men were killed on October 19 after militants ambushed a group of 14 Meitei men who were collecting firewood in the Sunurok hills of Kangpokpi district. Konthoujam said the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups expired in the first week of September and had not been extended. He cited public opposition to the continuation of the pact as a possible reason for its non-renewal.