NIA arrests 10 accused in Manipur ethnic violence cases

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested 10 accused in connection with multiple cases stemming from the Manipur ethnic conflict that began on May 3, ...

What Happened

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested 10 accused in connection with multiple cases stemming from the Manipur ethnic conflict that began on May 3, 2023.
The accused are alleged to have played active roles in attacks on security forces, looting of arms and ammunition from police armouries, and bank robberies during the period of ethnic unrest.
The NIA stated that the arrests are expected to yield significant intelligence about the planning, execution, and support networks behind the incidents of violence.
Investigations have previously uncovered links between arms looted in raids on police armouries and those recovered from individuals involved in organizing violence.
NIA chargesheets have pointed to the involvement of transnational networks, including what investigators have described as a "China-Myanmar module" of a proscribed Naga insurgent group that allegedly helped proscribed Meitei outfits exploit the ethnic unrest.

Static Topic Bridges

National Investigation Agency (NIA) — Establishment and Powers

The NIA was established under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, enacted in the aftermath of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. It is India's primary federal counter-terrorism law enforcement agency. The NIA has jurisdiction to investigate Scheduled Offences across India without requiring permission from state governments, giving it overriding powers over state police in specified categories of cases.

Established by the NIA Act, December 31, 2008.
Operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Officers of or above the rank of Sub-Inspector can exercise police station powers anywhere in India (Section 3(2) of the NIA Act).
Investigates Scheduled Offences listed in the Act's schedule — including offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967; Atomic Energy Act, 1962; Anti-Hijacking Act; Weapons of Mass Destruction Act; and offences under IPC/BNS Sections 121–130 (waging war against the state).
The Central Government can transfer any case to the NIA (Section 6) if it is satisfied the offence is a Scheduled Offence.
NIA Act amended in 2019 to expand scheduled offences to include human trafficking, cybercrime, and offences under the Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act.
Special NIA Courts (constituted under Section 11) try all NIA cases; they have powers of a Sessions Court.

Connection to this news: The Ministry of Home Affairs transferred Manipur ethnic-violence cases to the NIA given the gravity of offences — including weapons looting and attacks on security forces — and to investigate potential transnational links.

Manipur Ethnic Conflict — Background

The Manipur ethnic conflict erupted on May 3, 2023, triggered by a "Tribal Solidarity March" in protest against the proposed Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community. The violence pits the predominantly Hindu valley-dwelling Meitei community against the largely Christian hill-dwelling Kuki-Zo tribal communities. The conflict has resulted in mass casualties, large-scale displacement, and destruction of property across the state.

Conflict began: May 3, 2023.
Lives lost: over 224 (as of 2026).
Displaced persons: over 60,000.
Root cause: Meiteis sought Scheduled Tribe status; Kuki-Zo tribes opposed it, fearing loss of reserved forest land protections.
Valley districts (Imphal and surrounds) are predominantly Meitei; hill districts are predominantly tribal (Kuki-Zo, Naga).
Multiple police armouries were looted, with thousands of weapons entering civilian hands.

Connection to this news: The NIA's June 2026 arrests are the latest in an ongoing federal investigation aimed at dismantling the criminal and militant networks that exploited the ethnic conflict to carry out organized violence.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967

The UAPA is the primary anti-terrorism statute under which the NIA prosecutes most of its scheduled-offence cases. It empowers the central government to declare organizations as "unlawful associations" or "terrorist organisations." The Act also permits extended detention without bail and provides for attachment of proceeds of terrorism. It was significantly amended in 2004, 2008, and 2019.

2019 amendment: empowers the government to designate individuals (not just organisations) as terrorists.
Bail provisions under UAPA are restrictive — courts must be satisfied there is prima facie no case before granting bail.
NIA trials under UAPA are conducted in designated Special Courts.

Connection to this news: NIA's Manipur cases are prosecuted under UAPA provisions, given the involvement of proscribed organizations and the nature of offences (arms looting, attacks on security forces).

Key Facts & Data

NIA established: December 31, 2008 (NIA Act, 2008).
Manipur conflict onset: May 3, 2023.
Deaths in Manipur conflict: 224+ (as of 2026); displaced: 60,000+.
10 accused arrested by NIA in the June 2026 operation.
UAPA amended in 2019 to allow individual-level terrorist designation.
NIA Act amended in 2019 to add human trafficking, cybercrime, and explosives offences to the Schedule.
NIA Special Courts have Sessions Court powers under Section 11 of the NIA Act.
NIA chargesheets in Manipur cases reference transnational networks operating via China-Myanmar corridor.