Imphal, Jan 31: The Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur No. 1, on January 29 took cognisance of the charge sheet filed against three accused in the abduction and killing of three women and three children, including an eight-month-old infant, in Manipur’s Jiribam district, a case that had sparked widespread outrage across the state.
The accused have been identified as Thanglienlal Hmar alias Boya (40) and Lalrosang Hmar alias Rosang (24), both residents of Moinathol village in Dilkhosh Grant area of Assam’s Cachar district, and Khopuimoi Hmar alias Puia (33) of Keisel Punji, Borobekra in Jiribam. All three are currently lodged at the Temporary Jail in Jiribam and were produced before the court through video conferencing.
After hearing arguments from the NIA’s Special Public Prosecutor and the defence, and examining the materials placed on record, the court took cognisance of offences under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The NIA had filed the charge sheet along with the mandatory prosecution sanction under the UAPA on January 23, 2026. The court has directed the agency to provide copies of the relevant documents to the accused by February 10.
The case pertains to the abduction of six members of the Meitei community from Jakuradhor Karong in Jiribam on November 11, 2024. The victims — Yurembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31), Laishram Heitonbi (25), Telem Thajamanbi (8), Laishram Chingkheinganba (2) and eight-month-old Laishram Langamba — were later found dead in the Barak River near the Manipur–Assam inter-State border. Their bodies were recovered in a highly decomposed state and reportedly bore multiple injuries and signs of mutilation.
The brutal killings had triggered intense protests across the Imphal Valley, with angry crowds attacking the residences of several ministers and MLAs. In view of the seriousness of the case and the prevailing law and order situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs directed the NIA to take over the investigation after re-registration of the FIR initially lodged at Borobekra police station.
During the investigation, the NIA arrested Thanglienlal Hmar, described as a key conspirator, on July 31, 2025 in a joint operation with Assam Police. Two other accused were arrested subsequently, culminating in the filing of the charge sheet that has now been taken up by the special court.
