The arrest of a Kuki National Army (Burma) (KNA-B) cadre, a Myanmarese national, by the Assam Rifles clearly indicates the involvement of foreign elements in the Manipur crisis, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday.
He was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the golden jubilee celebration of All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) at Manipur Press Club.
The suspicion of foreign involvement in the conflict was not initially believed by some sections of the public, CM Biren said.
The arrested KNA (B) cadre, identified as one Thanglinkap, 20, son of Ngampao, is a Myanmarese citizen born in Kolang, Khampat, Myanmar. He was apprehended on September 13 in Chandel district of Manipur under Foreigner’s Act.
As per sources, he 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.
CM Biren appreciated the Assam Rifles for arresting the foreign national along with evidence of arms supply to militants operating in Manipur. “As the chief minister, I have consistently claimed that the present crisis is fuelled by foreign elements,” CM Biren said.
He thanked the media fraternity and wished them success in their efforts to restore peace in Manipur.
