Ukhrul, August 3: Hmar Inpui (Hmar Supreme House) General Headquarters. Churachandpur; Hmar Women Association, General Headquarters, Churachandpur; and Hmar Inpui, Jiribam Region have expressed shock and dismay over the arrest of Thanglienlal Hmar and Lalrosang Hmar, accused in the 2024 Jiribam Killings case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Assam Police.
The three Hmar bodies have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Thanglienlal Hmar and Lalrosang Hmar, residents of Moinathol village, Cachar District, Assam, who were arrested on July 31 from Aizawl, Mizoram.
Expressing deep concern and indignation at the arbitrary arrest of the two brothers, the Hmar Inpui (Hmar Supreme House) General Headquarters. Churachandpur claimed in a statement that the two brothers were struggling daily wage earners and have no known criminal background. Thanglienlal Hmar works as a motorboat operator and also serves as an elder in the Independent Church of India, it stated.
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“While NDTV has identified them as suspects in the abduction and murder of three women and three children in Jiribam, Manipur, in November 2024, the NIA, in its press release dated July 31, 2025, formally accused them of being key conspirators in the case. This development comes merely three weeks after the Manipur High Court directed the NIA to submit a status report on the matter.
“The circumstances surrounding the arrest raise serious concerns regarding procedural fairness, legal propriety, and the observance of due process. The hasty nature of the arrests—seemingly made under judicial pressure—suggests an absence of credible investigation and reflects a disregard for legal safeguards, particularly for individuals who are citizens of another state.
“As Manipur endures its third consecutive year of profound humanitarian crisis, the suffering of the Hmar people—both within and outside the state—must not be compounded by acts of institutional overreach. The continuing marginalization of the Hmar community, especially in the context of the ethnic violence allegedly orchestrated by the Meitei majority, must be addressed with urgency and justice. The rights and dignity of our brothers and sisters living outside Manipur must be equally protected under the law,” Hmar Inpui demanded.
It alleged that the arrest exemplified a disturbing pattern of state-led harassment, systemic repression, and the erosion of civil liberties.
“The targeting of the Hmar people is not an isolated incident but part of an orchestrated political agenda designed to instill fear and suppress legitimate demands for justice and political recognition. The ongoing collusion between the Manipur Government, state institutions, and security apparatus must cease its inhumane campaign against the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar communities, who continue to seek a peaceful and dignified resolution to their political aspirations,” it stated.
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Hmar Inpui demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the two brothers and urged the authorities to respect and uphold their constitutional rights. It also called for an immediate cessation of coercive, militarized tactics employed by the state, and for a renewed commitment to justice, equity, and peace.
The Hmar Women Association has also condemned the arbitrary arrest of the two brothers and claimed that they are fathers, daily wage earners, and individuals with no recorded history of criminal activity.
“The Hmar Women Association strongly condemns the deliberate targeting of our menfolk, even as Hmar, Kuki, and Zomi women and girls have been paraded naked, molested, raped, butchered, and murdered with impunity. It is particularly alarming that the NIA, instead of conducting a fair and thorough investigation, appears to have acted under pressure from the Manipur High Court, employing arbitrary and discriminatory tactics that further silence and criminalize our already marginalized community. This pattern of state-sanctioned injustice must end,” it stated.
The Association stated that it was deeply appalled by the one-sided administration of justice amid an ongoing ethnic cleansing campaign that has resulted in persistent discrimination and gender-based violence against Kuki-Zomi-Hmar women and girls.
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“The fundamental question we ask is this: When will justice be served to us? Is justice forbidden for the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar people?” the association asked in its statement.
The Hmar Women Association demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Thanglienlal Hmar and Lalrosang Hmar. It also demanded that the state and its agencies cease all coercive and militarized actions that disproportionately serve the interests of one community while oppressing another. The practice of arbitrary arrests and targeted repression be brought to an immediate halt, it added.
Moreover, the Hmar Inpui, Jiribam Region also has come out against the arrest of Thanglienlal Hmar. In a statement issued on August 1, Hmar Inpui, Jiribam Region maintained that Thanglienlal Hmar is an “innocent civilian” who was arrested on fabricated charges of a crime of which he is totally not involved.
“Thanglienlal Hmar @Bawia is a lay leader of the church and an elected spiritual leader who is committed to righteousness and peace. The arrested individual, a humble boat driver and father of eight children, has no known links to any unlawful activities and is widely regarded as a respected head of his family and a hardworking member of society and the church,” it stated.
It further stated, “We, the Hmar Inpui, believe this is a case of misidentification and flawed investigation. No evidence has been presented to suggest his involvement in any crime whatsoever.”
It called upon the NIA to re-investigate the matter fairly and without bias, and to release the “innocent man” immediately.
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“Justice must prevail, and innocent lives must not be made to suffer due to rushed or misguided actions,” it added.
The NIA arrested Lalrosang Hmar @ Rosang and Thanglienlal Hmar, residents of Village Moinathol, Dilkhosh Grant Cachar, Assam. from Aizawl, Mizoram on Thursday.
“Like Thanglienlal, Lalrosang was also an active conspirator in the heinous crime. NIA has recovered from him a mobile phone, along with a SIM card, and is examining the same as part of its continuing investigation in the case RC-15/2024/NIA/IMP,” the NIA stated on August 1.
Six Meitei women and children were abducted and brutally murdered by militants in the Borebekra area of Jiribam District of Manipur on November 11, 2024. Their bodies were found floating in the Barak River days later. The victims were identified as Yumrembam Rani Devi, 60; Telem Thoibi Devi, 31 and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi Devi 8; Laishram Heithoibi Dev, 25; and her two children Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh, 3; and 10-month-old Laishram Lamnganba Singh.