The National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), carried out a large-scale coordinated operation across several districts of Manipur and arrested 10 people in connection with multiple serious cases under investigation.

The raids were conducted at different locations in Imphal, Churachandpur, Ukhrul and other districts of the state. According to officials, the operation was launched based on intelligence inputs and evidence collected during ongoing investigations into several major incidents reported during the continuing unrest in Manipur.

The cases being investigated include the robbery at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Ukhrul, the looting of weapons from the 5th India Reserve Battalion (IRB), the murder of a Hmar woman in Jiribam, the abduction and killing of four Kuki individuals, the attack on CRPF personnel at Narainsena, and the ambush on the convoy of the Chief Minister.

The arrests attracted significant attention across the state after reports emerged that members of Arambai Tenggol were among those taken into custody. Arambai Tenggol Chief Korounganba Khuman later confirmed that three volunteers of the organisation had been arrested during the operation.

In a Facebook post issued after repeated public queries regarding the arrests, Korounganba acknowledged that three members of the group had been taken into custody by security agencies. However, he did not disclose their names or mention the specific cases connected to their arrests.

Defending the volunteers, Korounganba said they had worked for the welfare and protection of their community and should not feel ashamed because of the arrests. In his post, he wrote, "AT gi volunteers ahum fabra na hanglakpa do fai farido... ereibak efurup ki damak thoklubagi sida ekai ngai leite."

The statement reflected his view that those who stepped forward during difficult times to serve and safeguard their people should not be discouraged by legal action or hardships.

Sources said the three Arambai Tenggol members were detained from different locations during the coordinated raids carried out by security forces. However, authorities have not officially confirmed their identities. Security agencies have also not disclosed the exact charges or allegations against them.

The operation has sparked widespread interest among supporters of the Meitei socio-cultural organisation, many of whom are waiting for more information from investigating agencies regarding the arrests and the cases involved.

Officials stated that the raids were part of a broader effort to gather evidence and identify individuals allegedly connected to a range of violent incidents. They said interrogations of those arrested are continuing and follow-up searches are being conducted in different areas.

Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests as the probes progress. Authorities believe that additional information gathered during questioning could help advance investigations into the various cases.

The large-scale operation highlights the intensified efforts of central and state security agencies to track down those allegedly involved in some of the most serious incidents reported during the Manipur crisis. These incidents include cases of violence, murder, abduction, armed attacks and the looting of weapons.

With investigations still underway, security agencies are expected to continue their operations in the state. Officials have indicated that the crackdown forms part of a sustained effort to bring those responsible for major crimes to justice and strengthen security in the region.