Chief Of Banned Manipur-Based Militant Outfit UKNA Arrested In Mizoram, Two Kuki Leaders Also Held

The arrest of Thangkhomang Haokip, identified as the commander-in-chief of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), has opened a wider investigation into the Manipur-based armed outfit, with the NIA also arresting two Kuki student leaders in Mizoram.

Haokip and his driver were apprehended on September 24 from the outskirts of Aizawl in an operation involving the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Assam Rifles, officials said. Hours later, two Kuki student leaders from Manipur were picked up from a hotel in Aizawl's Khatla area. All four are in NIA custody. The charges against the student leaders were not immediately clear.

An official also clarified that the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), which was initially reported to have been part of the operation, was not involved.

Haokip is wanted in several cases in Manipur, where the UKNA has remained an active armed group, particularly in Churachandpur's Henglep subdivision. Unlike several Kuki-Zomi armed groups, the UKNA is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre and the Manipur government. The SoO is essentially a ceasefire arrangement under which participating armed groups suspend operations against security forces and operate from designated camps while talks with the government continue. Since the UKNA is outside this framework, its cadres are not covered by the ceasefire arrangement and remain subject to security operations.

The arrest comes amid intensified action against the outfit. On September 2, the Army and Assam Rifles dismantled a suspected UKNA camp at Phaibong village in Churachandpur, killing two cadres and recovering automatic rifles, grenades, ammunition and other military stores, according to security officials.

The NIA had also arrested S Palal Thadou, described by authorities as the UKNA's self-styled finance head, on August 12 in connection with the April 7 IED attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, in which two children were killed.

Authorities have also accused the outfit of involvement in other violent incidents, including an ambush on a security convoy in June 2024.