New Delhi, May 14, 2025, Virthli (ONP): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two insurgents in connection with the gruesome murder of Zosangkim Hmar, wife of Ngulthansang Hmar of Zairawn Village, Jiribam District, Manipur, which occurred in November 2024.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Nongthombam Meiraba, a cadre of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) from Bishnupur district, and Sagolsem Sanatomba alias Surchandra alias Piba, a member of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) from Thoubal district. They are scheduled to be produced in NIA custody on May 17, 2025.
Zosangkim Hmar, aged 31, a Hmar woman, was abducted and brutally killed on November 7, 2024, by suspected members of the Meitei radical group Arambai Tenggol and other allied Meitei militants during the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur. Her mutilated body was later recovered from Zairawn village.
According to the autopsy report, her body bore severe signs of torture and was 99% burnt. Her ribs were shattered, and her arms and legs were believed to have been used for beating before being set ablaze. Forensic evidence also showed signs of strangulation, three gunshot wounds, and a broken jaw. Additionally, parts of her body were found scattered at different locations.
In a press release issued yesterday, the NIA stated that the two arrested cadres were directly involved in the attack on Zairawn Village, a predominantly Hmar locality with around 80 households. The incident, which took place around 8:30 PM, involved coordinated violence by radical Meitei groups.
NIA investigations revealed that Nongthombam Meiraba allegedly participated in the shooting of Zosangkim, while Sanatomba is suspected of leading the assault on Zairawn Village.
Subsequently, at least ten village volunteers from the Hmar community lost their lives in an exchange of fire with security forces in Manipur’s Jiribam district. Since the outbreak of ethnic unrest in May 2023 between the Meiteis of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar communities from the surrounding hill districts, more than 260 people have been killed, and thousands displaced. The state has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025.
