Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said the arrest of a member of Myanmar-based Kuki National Army (Burma), who is a Myanmarese national, clearly indicates the involvement of foreign elements in the Manipur crisis.
The KNA(B) cadre was recently apprehended by the Assam Rifles from the Chandel district of Manipur. He has been identified as Thanglinkap, son of Ngampao, and is a “Burmese national” born in Kolang, Khampat, Myanmar.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, Thanglinkap is accused of carrying out reconnaissance missions along jungle tracks from the Indo-Myanmar border town of Moreh to the Kuki-dominated district of Churachandpur to supply arms.
“I really appreciate the activities of the Assam Rifles who arrested one Burmese national, KNA(B). As a Chief Minister I have been continuously saying since the beginning that the present crisis in Manipur has a foreign hand. Some people believe it, some don’t,” CM Biren Singh told reporters in Imphal.
He further said that the suspicion of foreign involvement in the conflict was not initially believed by some sections of the public.
However, a report by NDTV quoted the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO-GHQ), as saying that Thanglinkap, referred to by the CM as a member of the KNA(B) is a registered refugee, who fled from the conflict in Myanmar.
The report mentioned KSO spokesperson as saying that the Assam Rifles knows the man is a registered refugee.
He is from Myanmar but is registered in the official records along with his thumb prints and other details as a refugee, the spokesperson further said.
“The KSO general headquarters is shocked and surprised at the same time because someone as the Chief Minister, without inquiring more details about what’s happening, made such a silly judgment. The apprehended person… who is from Myanmar – of course he is a foreigner – but has been here registered as a refugee, which was accepted by the Assam Rifles,” the report mentioned the KSO spokesperson as saying.
Internet ban lifted in Manipur
The Manipur government has lifted the temporary ban on internet and mobile data services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts.
The decision to lift the ban was taken after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation in the regions. Meanwhile, the state government has appealed to all internet users to refrain from engaging in activities that might lead to a future suspension of internet services.
With inputs from agencies.
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Arrest of Myanmar national shows foreign hand in Manipur crisis: CM Biren Singh
