Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has questioned whether a “larger network” with political interests was involved in attempts to destabilise the state and undermine his government.
His remarks came on September 30, a day after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced fresh arrests in connection with an armed ambush on his convoy in June 2024. Singh welcomed the arrests and said the developments raised questions about whether the individuals involved were acting independently or as part of a wider network.
NIA Probe Into Convoy Ambush
The case relates to an armed attack on Singh’s convoy on June 10, 2024, when he was serving as Manipur chief minister. The ambush took place along National Highway 37 near K Sinam village in Kangpokpi district.
According to the NIA, the attack left two security personnel injured and caused damage to government vehicles. The agency has since been investigating the incident and the alleged conspiracy behind it.
On September 29, the NIA announced the arrest of two additional accused in connection with the case. The accused were produced before a Special Court and remanded to eight days of police custody. Investigators are examining their specific roles and alleged links with other members of the conspiracy.
Former CM Points to Possible Wider Links
Reacting to the latest arrests, Biren Singh said they had brought “important links” to light. He questioned whether the accused were operating only in pursuit of their own interests or whether a broader network with political interests was involved.
Singh also referred to another NIA investigation involving an attack in Bishnupur district in April 2026. The attack at Tronglaobi on April 7 killed two children and seriously injured their mother. The agency has arrested an accused in that case as part of its investigation.
Singh said the links between such cases needed to be thoroughly examined before conclusions could be reached about any wider conspiracy.
Call for a Thorough Investigation
The former chief minister called for every possible link to be investigated and for those found responsible to face the law.
His comments reflect his view that the latest arrests could provide investigators with additional information about the network of individuals involved in violence and attacks in Manipur.
However, the NIA investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against arrested individuals will have to be established through the legal process.
Manipur Conflict Remains Under Investigation
The latest developments come against the backdrop of the ethnic violence that began in Manipur in May 2023. The conflict resulted in deaths, injuries and the displacement of thousands of people, while several security-related cases have subsequently been investigated by central and state agencies.
The NIA has been handling multiple cases connected with armed attacks and violence in the state. Its investigations have included cases involving ambushes, improvised explosive devices and alleged militant networks.
Political Questions Over the Violence
Biren Singh’s latest remarks bring a political dimension to the ongoing investigations. By asking whether a larger network was involved, he has called for investigators to examine possible connections between separate incidents rather than treating each case in isolation.
At the same time, establishing such links remains a matter for investigators and the courts. The NIA’s continuing probe is expected to focus on identifying the roles of individual accused persons, tracing their connections and determining whether additional people were involved.
Investigation Continues
The recent arrests mark another development in the investigation into the 2024 attack on the former chief minister’s convoy. With the accused in NIA custody, investigators are expected to question them about the planning and execution of the attack and their alleged links to others.
For Manipur, the investigations remain part of the wider effort to establish accountability for violence during the prolonged crisis. Singh has called for the probe to follow every available lead, while the NIA continues its investigation into the cases and alleged networks involved.