3 UKNA cadres held in post Tronglaobi blast search

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 8 : Three cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) have been arrested from Churachandpur along with arms in an operation following the tragic bomb attack at Tronglaobi, which resulted in the deaths of an infant and her five-year-old brother.
UKNA is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed between the Government and over two dozen Kuki militant groups.
The arrestees have been identified as Sasang Vaiphei (30), s/o Thanglun Vaiphei of Singken; Paulallem Vaiphei (36), s/o Zomhen Vaiphei of Chongkhozow village and Jampao Haokip.
According to reports, Sasang and Paulallem, who claimed to be former village volunteers, were arrested from K Sharonphai Village, while Jampao, a self-styled information and publicity secretary of UKNA, was arrested from Kaprang.
From Jampao, authorities seized one AK-47 rifle, one pistol, Rs 20,100 in cash, and two sacks of contraband items suspected to be opium.
Police in a statement said the three were arrested from the nearby areas of Tronglaobi, said police on X.
From their possession, security forces recovered two sacks of raw opium weighing 21.19 Kg, revealing highly likely involve- ment of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a Kuki militant group in illicit opium trade.
The security forces also recovered one AK-47 Rifle with a magazine and 25 rounds of ammunition, one Pistol with two magazines and 15 rounds of ammunition, and Rs 20,100 in cash.
In another operation in the Molphei Tampak area in Churachandpur, security forces recovered one MP-9 Automatic Rifle, one Pistol with a magazine, two Lethode Tubes, one Pumpi (local-made cannon) and 5 70mm cartridges.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y Khemchand chaired a combined headquarters security (Unified Command) meeting today at the CM's Secretariat.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister K Govindas, Chief Secretary, Security Adviser, DGP, and senior officials of the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB.
The meeting undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing law and order situation and associated security concerns, said the Chief Minister in a social media post.
 Measures, in accordance with Constitutional provisions, were deliberated in detail to effectively respond to the current challenges and to ensure the restoration and maintenance of peace, stability, and public safety, it said.
The Government remains firmly committed in taking all necessary steps to safeguard the lives and interests of the people and to uphold law and order across the State, the post read.
Notably, the Chief Minister had yesterday instructed security forces to apprehend the perpetrators of the Tronglaobi attack, whether dead or alive.
Speaking to the media at the CM's Secretariat, MLA KH Ibomcha said that the Government is taking all necessary actions to apprehend the perpetrators involved in the Tronglaobi bomb attack.
However, both Ibomcha and Thanga AC MLA T Robindro who attended the press briefing refrained from commenting when media personnel inquired whether the three arrested UKNA cadres were involved in the Tronglaobi bomb attack and from where they had been arrested.
They also refrained from commenting when asked whether ex-gratia would be provided to the three individuals killed in the CRPF firing.  
Instead, Ibomcha stated that the public will be informed about the details of the arrested UKNA cadres through a press statement of police.
When the media further inquired about UKNA's denial of involvement of its arrested cadres in the bomb attack, the MLA stated that an investigation is underway to uncover the truth.
He also said that UKNA might be making such claims in an attempt to protect its members.
The media further inquired about the progress of the investigation into the bomb attack, to which the MLA responded that the police would soon issue a press release.
For now, he stated, it is known that three UKNA cadres have been arrested with arms.
Ibomcha also outlined the series of actions taken by the State Government following the bomb attack. These included launching combing operations, holding a high-level security meeting with top officials, deciding to hand over the case to the NIA, and convening an all-party meeting, among other measures.
The MLA also mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been providing all possible assistance to capture the killers.
The MLA further stated that the Centre has assured the State Government of necessary support in taking action against those attempting to derail the peace process.
He stated that the attack at Tronglaobi was a direct challenge to the peace initiative taken up by the Government and the people.
The Government understands that the peace initiative cannot succeed without involving the people,  he said.
T Robindro stated that widespread search operations have been launched to apprehend those involved in the Tronglaobi bomb attack. State commandos and the IRB are also involved in the operation, he said.
He further noted that there are confidential matters that cannot be made public, adding that the Government understands the sentiments of the people.