As Manipur remains gripped by conflict, the CBI is dealing with a vast array of shocking crimes against women, highlighting the urgent need for justice in a state reeling from widespread atrocities
BY PC Bureau
June 9, 2025 – The recent arrest of Kanan Singh, a Meitei militia leader from Arambai Tenggol, at Imphal airport on June 8, has once again cast a stark light on the brutal ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Singh for his alleged involvement in arms looting, arson, and kidnapping, an action that has ignited fresh protests and curfews across the Imphal Valley. This detention is but one facet of a grim mosaic that illustrates the profound depths of the Meitei-Kuki clashes, which have tragically claimed over 260 lives and displaced an estimated 60,000 people.
Central agencies are grappling with an overwhelming caseload of atrocities. The CBI is currently managing 38 cases linked to the violence, with a horrifying 20 of these specifically concerning molestation, rape, and murder of women. Similarly, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing 13 equally horrific incidents, many of which involve alleged militant activity and specifically target Korounganba Khuman, the commander-in-chief of Arambai Tenggol.
READ:Â Manipur: Arambai Tenggol Defies Curfew, ASP, Army Major Attacked
CBI’s Caseload: A Deep Dive into Crimes Against Women
The CBI’s investigation into the Manipur violence, as confirmed by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in February 2024, involves at least 38 cases, underscoring the pervasive nature of the conflict. A significant 20 of these cases are focused on heinous crimes against women, reflecting a disturbing trend of gender-based violence within the conflict. To ensure impartiality amidst the intense ethnic tensions, the Supreme Court has mandated the transfer of 27 cases to Assam for pre-trial proceedings.
Among the 20 cases of crimes against women are high-profile incidents that have sparked national outrage, such as the sexual assault and public parading of two Kuki-Zo women in Kangpokpi district on May 4, 2023, which gained widespread attention after a viral video surfaced. Another distressing case involves the abduction and suspected murder of two minors—a boy and a girl—in July 2023. The Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) has also transferred five cases of crimes against women, including sexual violence, to the CBI for investigation.
Beyond crimes against women, the CBI is investigating three murder cases involving men, including the abduction and murder of a 55-year-old Naga woman in July 2023. Three cases are also focused on the looting of weapons from police armories, a critical factor that fueled the subsequent violence. Additionally, two cases address broader issues: one on widespread rioting and another as a general conspiracy case to determine if the ethnic violence was pre-planned. A 10-member CBI Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), is diligently investigating these coordinated efforts.
The CBI will probe the case of sexual assault on two women who were stripped and paraded by a mob in Manipur and the government will seek its trial outside the state, officials said on Thursday.
According PTI, the trial would be sought to be held in a court in neighbouring Assam pic.twitter.com/67KV1eph34— Naga Hills (@Hillsnaga) July 27, 2023
The CBI has filed charges against Nohgin Baitekuki, Paolunmang, Smalsawn Haokip, Paominlun Haokip, and Lhingneichang (four arrested, one a minor) in Guwahati in connection with the abduction and murder of the two minors in July 2023. These children were intercepted in Bishnupur district on July 6, 2023, and are presumed killed. While four individuals were initially arrested by Manipur Police in the sexual assault and public parading case of the two Kuki-Zo women, their identities have not been fully disclosed, and the CBI continues its investigation with the case transferred to Assam for trial. In the abduction and murder of the Naga woman, the CBI has filed a chargesheet against nine individuals in Guwahati, whose identities are not yet fully disclosed. The recent arrest of Kanan Singh, a Meitei leader of the Arambai Tenggol militia, on June 7, 2025, is for his alleged role in arms looting, arson, and kidnapping during the 2023 violence. He is also a co-accused in the attempted murder and kidnapping of Additional SP Moirangthem Amit.
READ:Kuki-Zo-MHA Peace Talks Resume in Delhi on Positive Note
The CBI faces significant hurdles due to the highly charged ethnic environment. To ensure impartiality, forensic samples are sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, and women officers are actively involved in cases concerning crimes against women. The Supreme Court’s decision to shift pre-trial proceedings to Assam underscores concerns about potential bias within Manipur’s judicial system. While chargesheets have been filed in several cases, the Supreme Court noted in March 2024 that it was still awaiting detailed status reports, indicating that progress can be slow.
