Churachandpur: Normal life came to a standstill in Manipur's Tengnoupal district on Friday as the Kuki Women Union (KWU) enforced an 11-hour shutdown from 5am to 4pm. All shops remained closed, markets were deserted, and schools and other educational institutions were shut during the bandh.
Shutdown in protest of NIA arrest
The shutdown was called to protest the arrest of Otkhothang Baite, also known as Othang Baite, a resident of Moreh. He was arrested on Thursday by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on suspicion of involvement in the 2023 killing of Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Ananda Kumar Singh.
Sit-in protests and enforcement
During the shutdown, sit-in protests were held at Tengnoupal market and Moreh market. Leaders of the Kuki Women Union (KWU), Tengnoupal, said supporters of the bandh moved around to ensure no violations occurred.
NIA statement on arrest
In a separate statement, the NIA said it had on Thursday arrested a 'prime accused' in the October 2023 killing of Moreh subdivisional police officer Chingtham Anandakumar Singh. The agency identified the accused as Otkhothang Baite alias Othang Baite, a resident of Moreh in Tengnoupal district.
The NIA described Baite as 'involved in the conspiracy behind the attack by members of a suspected Kuki militant group on a district police team in a playground.' According to the agency, militants opened fire on the district police team on October 31, 2023, 'during the peak of ethnic violence,' and SDPO Chingtham Anandakumar Singh was 'hit by a bullet in his stomach in the attack and succumbed to his injuries.'
Investigation details
The agency said Moreh police had registered a case that was taken over by the NIA in March 2024. During the investigation, it found that the conspiracy was aimed at 'creating terror in Manipur.' The NIA also said it had earlier this month arrested another accused, identified as Kamginthang Gangte, in the same case.
