NIA arrests mastermind behind Moreh SDPO Anand's murder
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 07 2025: National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a significant breakthrough, arresting a top Kuki National Army (KNA) leader on June 5 .

The arrested person has been identified as Kamginthang Gangte, a resident of Mandoi in Moreh and he was reportedly the mastermind behind the murder of Moreh SDPO Chingtham Anand (killed on October 31, 2023 at Moreh during the peak of the ongoing conflict in Manipur) .

He was produced before a Duty Magistrate at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport yesterday and subsequently taken to Guwahati.

The NIA also arrested another Kuki militant in connection with the same case from his residence at Moreh last night at around 9 and he has been identified as Hentinthang alias Thangneo Kipgen.

NIA arrests mastermind behind Moreh SDPO Anand's murder

He too has been taken to Guwahati.

The SDPO was shot and killed by a sniper while overseeing the preparations of a helipad at the Eastern Shine Ground, Moreh.

Citing authorities North East Now reported that Gangte, also identified as K Guite in some reports, was the primary individual responsible for the sniper attack that killed the SDPO.

According to reports, NIA conducted a special operation on Thursday afternoon (June 5) at Mandoi Veng, under the Moreh police station in Tengnoupal district, resulting in the arrest of Kamginthang Gangte.

During the operation, the team also recovered one 9 mm pistol and one magazine, along with some incriminating documents.

It may be mentioned that a team of Manipur police commandos who rushed to Moreh after the SDPO's killing was ambushed by Kuki militants between Sinam and Bungyang villages, resulting in injuries to three policemen.

Earlier, nine persons including a Myanmar National were arrested in connection with the same case and they are Letngam Lupho (55) of Yangoupokpi village Moreh, Jamkhohao Lupho (47) of Yangoupokpi village Moreh, George Holkhosat Khongsai (20) of Munnom village, Letgoulen Doungel (25) of Zion Veng, Jangkhohao Haokip (34) of Zion Veng, Ma Mong Shu (26) of Namphalong Myanmar, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai (45) of New Moreh Ward Number 8 and Hemkholal Mate (35) of K Moulsang village.

The State security forces first arrested Philip Khaikholal Khongsai of New Moreh ward no 8 and Hemkholal Mate on January 15, 2024 .

While Philip Khaikholal Khongsai is an ex-Army man and executive member of Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal and a leader of Moreh Defence Force, Hemkholal Mate is chief of K Moulsang village.

Chargesheets were filed against them on April 4, 2024 .

According to the chargesheets, heavily armed Kuki militants and their armed volunteers attacked security forces and Meitei homes at Moreh, burning houses and stealing valuables following the arrest of Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate.

Meanwhile, different Kuki-Zo civil society organisations based in Moreh have submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla against the arrest of the KNA leader.

Technically, the SoO agreement had expired on February 29, 2024, and has not been renewed to date.

The memorandum of the Kuki-Zo CSOs, submitted through Tengnoupal MLA Letpao Haokip, claimed that Kamginthang Gangte was arrested without due legal process.

A mass rally was also taken out at Moreh against the arrest today.

Slogans such as "We want justice", "We want separate administration", "Respect human rights" were chanted among others during the rally.