11 Kuki undertrials ‘swapped’ for 2 Meitei men in Manipur facing stringent charges. UAPA, murder, drugs

 The 11 undertrials who ‘may have been used as bargaining chip’ to secure release of the 2 Meitei men got bail between July and September, but were kept in prison ‘for their safety’.

ANANYA BHARDWAJ, THE PRINT, 05 October, 2024: New Delhi: Murder, sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act, and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act—the 11 prisoners handed over to Kuki groups in Manipur’s Kangpokpi in exchange for two Meitei men are under trial on these stringent charges, ThePrint has learnt.

Police records show they were granted bail in these cases between July and September. But, security officials said, they were kept in an Imphal prison for their safety.

According to sources in the security establishment, the 11 undertrials may have been used as a “bargaining chip” to secure the release of the two Meitei men—who had been taken captive in the Kangpokpi hills on 27 September. The police only “facilitated their transit” to their homes, the sources added.

According to the records accessed by ThePrint, Tongminthang Haokip (32), a resident of Kangpokpi, was arrested in February last year and is booked in two cases under the UAPA. In the second case, he was also booked under the Arms Act, but was granted bail in both cases on 20 September this year.

Similarly, Paolalmon Singson (24), booked on extortion, criminal intimidation charges and under the UAPA, was arrested on 15 August 2023 and was granted bail on 10 August 2024.

Records say he was found to be associated with the National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM), and was extorting money from non-Manipuri shops in Lailam Veng and Nute Bazar.

The NRFM was formed in 2011 by cadres of three factions of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), a Meitei underground outfit. According to sources in the security establishment, its senior leaders operated from bases in a neighbouring country and were involved in violence and extortion in various parts of the Manipur Valley. 

In December 2023, following the signing of peace agreement between United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the government of Manipur and the Centre on 29 November 2023, around 25 cadres of the National Revolutionary Front led by Major Boicha (vice-chief of Army staff of NRFM) along with 25 weapons joined the UNLF.

‘Murder, drugs, extortion’

Records show that among the 11 Kuki undertrials, two are booked on murder charges, two under UAPA, two under the NDPS Act, two for extortion and other charges and the rest under sections including criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, molestation (two undertrials), obstructing public servant from performing duties, and criminal intimidation. 

“All of these 11 people got bail in the cases they were arrested. These cases are from 2021 to 2023, and the last person who got bail was on 20 September this year. Rest have been in jail, despite getting bail for the last three months as the situation outside was not conducive for them to travel to the hills, crossing the valley,” a source said.

The source added that the police have been ensuring safe transit for these undertrials who get bail. “We take them in batches to make sure that they reach home safely. We were supposed to take them in the first week of September, but due to a fresh spate of violence, we could not take them.”

The source further said when negotiations with Kuki groups were on for the release of the two Meitei men, the police offered safe movement of the 11 Kukis, which was agreed upon.

“This we saw as an opportunity to guarantee their safe return, as no one in Imphal would object to their movement under these circumstances, knowing that the two Meitei men would also be safely handed over in this exchange,” the source said.

Asked why these 11 were particularly picked, the source added: “No one was handpicked. Now there are no undertrials that have secured bail in Imphal prison. In the next three months, another batch will be taken.”

The Kukis, sources said, had a list of demands, including a separate police station in the Phailengmol region of Kangpokpi district and transferring of Kuki prisoners from Imphal jail to the prison in Churachandpur. The groups, however, were conveyed that this was not something the police had the powers to do.  

“The police remained firm that any of the illogical demands will not be considered. The groups were made to understand that for transfer of prisoners, they would have to approach the court and there is a process for it,” the source said. “We offered that we can ensure safe transit of prisoners who have already secured bail through the court.”

(Edited by Gitanjali Das)