From NIA to police: Remand for Moreh man
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 24 2025: In connection with the January 17, 2024 attack on a temporary post of Special Commandos at Moreh, the Moreh police have formally arrested Thangminlen Mate from the custody of the NIA Guwahati.

Moreh police formally arrested Thangminlen Mate after the Special Court NIA Guwahati allowed it yesterday.

He was then produced before the Special Court NIA Imphal West virtually from Kamrup Central Jail, Guwahati.

The NIA Court Imphal West has sent him to judicial custody till July 8.Thangminlen Mate alias Lenin Mate (27) is son of Doujangam Mate of Gamnomphai Village, Tengnoupal district.

He was arrested by the NIA in June first week for his alleged involvement in attacks on security forces in Moreh which killed and injured several personnel.

In the Court of the NIA Imphal West, the Special Public Prosecutor for the State submitted that an FIR was registered against Thangminlen Mate with the Moreh police based on a complaint filed by the ASI of Special Commando Unit of Khabeisoi in January last year.

The Prosecutor submitted that on January 17, 2024 at around 4.30 am, heavily armed terrorists/Kuki militants attacked the temporary post of the Special Commandos at SBI Branch Moreh using rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), other high explosive bombs and sophisticated weapons.

While the security forces retaliated to the attack, the Prosecutor said, the temporary security post was hit twice by highly explosive bombs - one at the entry gate in the morning and another on the rooftop at night - both causing heavy damage.

In the attack launched by the Kuki militants, one ASI Sidarth Thokchom, Constable Ngasepam Bhim and Kumam Premananda sustained injuries, and the exchange of fire lasted for around 14 hours, said the Prosecutor.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Special Commandos recovered two RPG tails from inside the gate of the SBI Moreh branch, added the Prosecutor, asking the Court to send the accused to judicial custody for smooth investigation of the case.

The Court, after hearing the submissions of the Special Public Prosecutor, remanded the accused to judicial custody till July 8, and directed the police to produce the accused before it on the same day.

It may be noted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has so far arrested three militants including Thangminlen Mate in connection with a deadly attack on security forces in Moreh on January 17, 2024 that killed two police commandos and injured several others.

The NIA first arrested Thangminlen Mate from Silchar on May 19, 2025, followed by the arrests of two more militants, identified as Kamginthang Gangte and Hentinthang Kipgen on June 6, 2025 .

The three men, along with their associates, had planned, conspired and executed the attack on an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) post and security forces in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, on January 17, 2024, the NIA had said.

Thangminlen Mate is a resident of Tengnoupal district and a member of the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT) "insurgent group" .

He had played a key role in orchestrating and carrying out the attack," the NIA had said.

The other accused, Kamginthang Gangte has been identified as a member of the Kuki National Army (KNA), and Hentinthang Kipgen alias Thangneo Kipgen has been identified to have been associated with the Village Volunteers group in Churachandpur district.

Notably, Kamginthang Gangte, who is a top leader of the Kuki National Army (KNA), has been reportedly identified as the mastermind behind the assassination of Chingtham Anand, a Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) posted at Moreh on October 31, 2023.Chingtham Anand was shot dead by a sniper while he was overseeing the preparation of a helipad at the Eastern Shine Ground, Moreh town.

Kamginthang Gangte and Hentinthang Kipgen are presently lodged in Kamrup Central Jail, Guwahati.

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