An Alto car allegedly used in the attack was recovered, along with an empty cartridge case. Yaima has been remanded to eight days’ police custody.
BY PC Bureau
September 12: Police have arrested a 56-year-old man from Sekmai in connection with the firing on a CRPF team along National Highway-2 in Imphal West, bringing a new turn to a case that had initially been reported as an attack by unidentified armed men.
Sheleibam Yaima, son of Ibomcha and a resident of Sekmai Parao, was arrested on September 11, a day after several rounds were fired at CRPF personnel deployed in the Khonghampat area. He has been remanded to eight days’ police custody, according to officials.
Police also recovered the Alto car allegedly used in the incident, bearing registration number MN05A-9332. An empty cartridge case was found inside the vehicle.
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On 10.09.2026 at about 5:20 PM, unknown armed miscreants fired several rounds at CRPF personnel on duty at Khonghampat Awang Leikai with an intention to cause harm. Accordingly, a case was registered at Sekmai PS.
One of the persons involved in the incident, namely Sheleibam… pic.twitter.com/g1dpXiJ5qo— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 12, 2026
The firing took place on the evening of September 10 near Khonghampat Awang Leikai, along the Imphal-Dimapur corridor. CRPF personnel of the 152 Battalion were on duty when armed men opened fire. No casualties were reported.
The arrest is significant because the attackers had not initially been linked publicly to any particular group or community. With Yaima’s arrest, investigators are now examining whether he was directly involved in the firing and whether others were part of the operation.
Police are also investigating the source of the weapon used in the attack and whether the accused had any organisational or other links to armed groups.
The case was registered at Sekmai Police Station.
The firing came amid heightened security concerns along NH-2, one of Manipur’s principal road corridors, where Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed for patrols, area domination and protection of vital road movement since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.
The latest development shifts the focus of the case from the unidentified gunmen who opened fire on the CRPF team to the identity and possible motive of the person now in police custody.
Police have not yet publicly established whether Yaima acted alone or whether the firing was carried out on behalf of an organised group. The investigation is continuing.
