Correspondent
IMPHAL, Oct 24: Manipur Police on Saturday arrested 17 individuals for allegedly impersonating registered Suspension of Operations (SoO) cadres at the Sinai camp of Kuki militant groups. Police recovered 24 firearms.
The 17 were among 18 people detained during a joint operation by Manipur Police, CRPF’s Quick Action Team, CoBRA and Assam Rifles on October 23, following the October 19 Sunurok attack that killed three Meitei firewood collectors and injured four others. Police said only one detainee was a genuine SoO cadre.
The Sinai camp, designated for the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), is in Kangpokpi district. Police said eight individuals impersonated KNA cadres and nine posed as KLA cadres.
Recovered items included 24 firearms, 38 magazines, ammunition, explosives and wireless equipment.
An FIR was registered at Yaingangpokpi Police Station under relevant laws. A court remanded the accused to eight days of police custody until October 31.
Security forces took control of the camp after finding only one of its 159 registered cadres present. A source said the groups failed to explain the absence of the remaining cadres, prompting further investigation.
The raid followed the expiry in early September of tripartite SoO agreements involving the Centre, Manipur government and Kuki groups under the KNO and United People’s Front (UPF).
State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said Friday the agreements had not been renewed. He also disclosed the arrest of three cadres of a Kuki National Front faction, including two who allegedly admitted involvement in the Sunurok attack.