The Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur No. 1, on January 29, 2026, took cognisance of the charge sheet filed against three accused in connection with the abduction and murder of three women and three children, including an eight-month-old infant, in Jiribam district.
The accused—Thanglienlal Hmar alias Boya (40), Lalrosang Hmar alias Rosang (24), both from Moinathol village in Dilkhosh Grant, Cachar district, Assam, and Khopuimoi Hmar alias Puia (33) from Keisel Punji, Borobekra, Jiribam—are currently in the Temporary Jail, Jiribam. They were produced before the court via video conferencing.
After hearing submissions from the NIA’s Special Public Prosecutor and the defence counsel, and reviewing the materials on record, the court took cognisance of the charge sheet under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NIA had submitted the charge sheet along with prosecution sanction under the UAPA on January 23, 2026.
The court directed the NIA to provide copies of the relevant charge sheet documents to the accused by February 10, 2026.
The case pertains to the abduction of six members of the Meitei community from Jakuradhor Karong in Jiribam district on November 11, 2024. The victims—Yurembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31), Laishram Heitonbi (25), Telem Thajamanbi (8), Laishram Chingkheinganba (2), and Laishram Langamba (8 months)—were later found dead in the Barak River near the Manipur-Assam border. The bodies were recovered in a decomposed state, showing multiple injuries and signs of mutilation.
The killings triggered widespread protests across the Imphal Valley, with demonstrators targeting the residences of several Ministers and MLAs. Following directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the NIA took over the investigation after re-registering the FIR originally lodged at Borobekra Police Station.
During the probe, Thanglienlal Hmar, identified as the key conspirator, was arrested on July 31, 2025, in a joint operation with Assam Police. The other two accused were subsequently taken into custody, culminating in the filing of the charge sheet now under judicial review.
