The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended Lalrosang Hmar, the second key suspect involved in the brutal murder of three women and three children in Manipur’s Jiribam district—a case that has contributed to the already heightened tensions in the conflict-ridden region. The arrest was made on Thursday in Aizawl, Mizoram, and was officially confirmed by the NIA on Friday. This development follows the earlier capture of another suspect, Thanglienlal Hmar, who was also detained in Aizawl, indicating a coordinated network behind the gruesome crime.
According to the NIA, both Lalrosang and Thanglienlal were actively involved in the planning and execution of the violent incident. Authorities recovered a mobile phone and a SIM card from Lalrosang at the time of his arrest, and these items are currently under forensic analysis to uncover further details about the conspiracy and other potential suspects. The case dates back to November 11, 2024, when the victims—three women and three children—were abducted from the Borebekra area in Jiribam district. Their lifeless bodies were later discovered dumped in the waters of the Barak River, sending shockwaves across the state and country.
Meanwhile, in a separate and significant crackdown on insurgent activity, security forces arrested four militants from different locations across Manipur on Friday. Among those taken into custody was Moirangthem Biramani Meitei, who held the position of self-declared army chief within the banned militant group Kangleipak Communist Party (Nongdrenkhomba). Two operatives affiliated with the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and one active member of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK - PRO) were also apprehended. During the raids, law enforcement seized a cache of weapons and ammunition, which authorities believe could have been intended for future attacks.
These developments come against the backdrop of sustained ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur since May 2023. The conflict, primarily between the Meitei majority and the tribal Kuki-Zo communities, has left the state deeply fractured. Official reports indicate that at least 258 people have lost their lives in the violence, while more than 60,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes, seeking shelter in relief camps or neighboring states. The arrest of key suspects in high-profile murder cases and the ongoing clampdown on insurgent groups highlight the state's fragile security landscape and the urgent need for long-term peace-building efforts.
