Imphal: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended three members of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) Pambei group, including the outfit’s Army Chief Thokchom Thoiba alias Sidabamapu, from Leipham Mayang Imphal Konchak in Imphal West District on Wednesday. The Chief Intelligence in Charge Ingba and another cadre were also among those detained. However, its not clear whether they were arrested or taken for meeting.
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According to reliable sources, a joint operation involving the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police Commando, including NIA personnel, conducted the operation in the early hours of the morning in the Kwakeithel area under Singjamei Police Station. The detained individuals were subsequently transported by a special flight to New Delhi in the afternoon.
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The UNLF Pambei group, led by Thokchom Thoiba, is a faction of the over 50-year-old proscribed UNLF in Manipur. Notably, this faction recently made headlines by signing a historic peace pact with the Government of India, becoming the first among valley-based underground outfits in Manipur to do so. However, the reasons behind their detention and whether any incriminating evidence or weapons were seized remain unconfirmed.
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In response to the incident, security has been heightened in Imphal City, with state and central forces deploying personnel armed with heavy weaponry at key locations.
Meanwhile, Meira Paibi women’s groups have condemned the detentions, staging protests by blocking roads at New Chekon in Imphal East District, causing temporary disruptions to traffic. However, with the intervention of the Imphal East District Police, the protestors were dispersed, and normal traffic flow resumed without any reported untoward incidents.
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