Special Story: Manipur, Nagaland Top NIA Most-Wanted List

Out of the top 11 individuals identified in the NIA’s most-wanted records, seven are linked to Manipur and Nagaland, indicating a strong clustering of Northeast-based insurgency cases within ongoing national security investigations.

BY Navin Upadhyay

New Delhi, May 20, 2026: A review of the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) “Most Wanted” database indicates a notable concentration of absconding accused linked to insurgency networks in India’s Northeast, particularly Manipur and Nagaland. The list includes individuals associated with multiple banned and underground organisations operating in the region.

Out of the top 11 individuals on the NIA’s most-wanted list, seven are from Manipur and Nagaland, underscoring a significant concentration of Northeast-linked insurgency cases within the dataset.

At the top of the NIA’s most-wanted list from the Northeast segment is Nikki Sumi, a Nagaland-linked insurgency figure associated with an NSCN faction commonly referred to in security reporting as the “Nikki faction.” He is among the most prominent absconding accused referenced in ongoing insurgency-related investigations. He is wanted in a case related to firing at Assam Rifles.

A district-wise aggregation of Manipur-linked entries shows a clear concentration in the Imphal Valley region, particularly in Imphal East and core valley clusters, indicating that insurgency-related case footprints in the dataset are heavily valley-centric. A substantial portion of these Manipur-related entries in the NIA database are linked to Imphal Valley-based insurgent organisations, including groups such as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), UNLF, and PREPAK.

These organisations have historically been involved in armed insurgency cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with allegations ranging from extortion networks to arms procurement and cross-border support activities.

Several individuals listed in the NIA database are associated with these valley-based groups and remain absconding in ongoing investigations. The agency continues to pursue cases involving alleged coordination, recruitment, and logistical support networks operating within and outside Manipur.

Nagaland cases linked to NSCN factions

In Nagaland, most of the individuals appearing in the NIA’s wanted list are connected to factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), including NSCN (Isak-Muivah), NSCN (Khango), and related splinter groups.

These cases primarily involve allegations of insurgency-related activities, illegal arms movement, extortion networks, and cross-border coordination. The NSCN (I-M) faction remains one of the most prominent insurgent organisations referenced in ongoing investigations.

Among the listed absconders is Nikki Sumi, identified in multiple security dossiers as a commander associated with a NSCN faction commonly referred to in security reporting as the “Nikki faction” of NSCN-linked operations. He remains among those sought in connection with insurgency-related cases.

Broader Northeast security pattern

Security agencies have long documented that insurgency-related cases in the Northeast often involve interconnected networks operating across state boundaries, particularly between Manipur, Nagaland, and adjoining regions.

While the NIA list includes individuals from across India, Northeast-linked cases—especially those tied to longstanding insurgent movements—form a visible segment of ongoing national security investigations.

Seven of the NIA’s top 11 most-wanted individuals originate from Manipur and Nagaland, indicating a strong clustering of insurgency-related cases from the Northeast within the list. Here are they:

🔴 1. Nikki Sumi (Nagaland)

Nikki Sumi, a self-styled Lt. General associated with the NSCN (Nikki faction), is among the most prominent names on the NIA’s most-wanted list. He is linked to a case involving firing upon Assam Rifles personnel near Kohima and is considered a key figure in alleged insurgency-related operations attributed to the faction.

🔴 2. Starson Lamkang (Manipur)

Starson Lamkang of Imphal East is linked to the NSCN (Nikki faction) case involving an alleged ambush on the 6 Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army. He is identified as a co-accused in the broader insurgency-linked investigation connected to the same operational network.

🔴 3. Namoijam Okendra Singh (Manipur)

Namoijam Okendra Singh, also known by multiple aliases including Oken and Inaobi, is from Khurai Soibam Leikai in Imphal East. He is named as a co-accused in the RC-03/2015/NIA/GUW case related to the ambush on the 6 Dogra Regiment, forming part of the same NSCN-linked investigation.

🔴 4. Kshtrimayum Noyon Singh (Manipur)

Kshtrimayum Noyon Singh of Sekta Awang Leikai, Imphal East, is listed in the same NIA case file RC-03/2015/GUW. He is accused of involvement in the alleged ambush on Indian Army personnel and is part of the co-accused network under investigation.

🔴 5. Thoudam Somorendra Singh (Manipur)

Thoudam Somorendra Singh from Imphal West is also named in the RC-03/2015/NIA/GUW case. He is a co-accused in the alleged assault on Indian Army personnel and is linked to the broader insurgency-related operational case file.

🔴 6. Thoudam Thoiba (Manipur)

Thoudam Thoiba of Imphal East, also known as Mahesh, is listed as a co-accused in the same NIA investigation. He is associated with the alleged ambush case involving the 6 Dogra Regiment and remains under investigation in the insurgency-linked dossier.

🔴 7. S. Mangal (Manipur)

1. Mangal, also known as Panthoi, is from Thoubal district in Manipur. He is linked to NSCN (Nikki faction)-related insurgency cases and is named among the accused in investigations involving coordinated militant activities under the same broader operational network.

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🧾 Background of Other Selected NIA-Linked Wanted Individuals (Manipur & Nagaland)

🔴 1. Ch. Leishemba (Manipur)

Linked group: KYKL (Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup)

Background:
KYKL is an Imphal Valley-based insurgent organisation formed in the 1990s, involved in armed insurgency against the Indian state.

Allegations:
Cases linked to Leishemba relate to alleged participation in insurgent activities under UAPA, including coordination of underground operations and support functions.

Status: Absconding in an ongoing NIA investigation.

🔴 2. Athokpam Milan Singh (Manipur)

Linked group: KYKL ecosystem

Background:
KYKL has historically been part of the broader Meitei insurgent movement in Manipur.

Allegations:
Named in UAPA cases involving alleged support to insurgent infrastructure and operational networks.

🔴 3. Moirangthem Uttam (Manipur)

Linked group: Imphal Valley insurgent network (KYKL/PLA-linked cases)

Background:
Part of a cluster of accused linked to valley-based insurgent activity cases under NIA investigation.

Allegations:
Suspected involvement in aiding insurgent operations and underground coordination.

🔴 4. Laishram Jinen (Manipur)

Linked group: Valley insurgent ecosystem (PLA/KYKL-linked cases depending on FIR)

Background:
Name appears in NIA absconders list tied to insurgency-related investigations.

Allegations:
Connected to suspected logistical or support roles in UAPA cases.

🔴 5. Kughaito Achumi (Nagaland)

Linked group: NSCN (K / splinter factions depending on case)

Background:
NSCN factions are part of a long-running insurgency movement in Nagaland dating back decades.

Allegations:
Suspected involvement in insurgent logistics, arms-related activity, and organised networks under UAPA cases.

🔴 6. SS Stephen Lamkang (Nagaland / Manipur region linkages)

Linked group: NSCN-related network

Background:
NSCN-linked individuals often operate across the Nagaland–Manipur–Myanmar border region.

Allegations:
Named in cases involving insurgent coordination and support structures.

🗺️ Regions of Accused (Manipur-linked NIA list you provided)

🔴 IMPHAL EAST DISTRICT (VALLEY)

• Namoijam Okendra Singh
  • Laishram Simon
  • Starson Lamkang
  • Kshtrimayum Noyon Singh (Sekta Awang Leikai)
  • Angom Sanatomba (Phayeng / Lamshang boundary)
• S Mangal

🔴 IMPHAL WEST DISTRICT (VALLEY)

• Angom Sanatomba (Phayeng / Lamshang area)

🔴 THOUBAL DISTRICT (VALLEY)

• Thoudam Somorendra Singh
  • Thokchom Gandhi (Thoubal–Kakching belt)

🔴 KAKCHING DISTRICT (VALLEY)

• S/S Lt. Col. Rishikanta Singh
  • Thokchom Gandhi (overlap entry)

🔴 BISHNUPUR DISTRICT (VALLEY)

• Yambem Biren Singh
  • Laishram Simon (locality-linked)

🔴 UKHRUL DISTRICT (HILL REGION)

• Hangshi Ramson Tangkhul
  • Paoshim Kasar
  • Phungthing Shimrang (Somdal / Dimapur link)

🔴 TAMENGLONG DISTRICT (HILL REGION)

• Khamkhuanang (Khunjao area)

🔴 KANGPOKPI DISTRICT (HILL REGION)

• Lunsei Kipgen (J. Songtun)

🔴 CHURACHANDPUR DISTRICT (HILL REGION)

• Thangkhuallian (listed entry)

🔴 CROSS-BORDER / INTERFACE REGION (MANIPUR–NAGALAND)

• Phungthing Shimrang (Ukhrul + Dimapur linkage)

🔴 IMPHAL VALLEY (UNSPECIFIED / CORE CLUSTER)

• Ch. Leishemba
  • Thoudam Thoiba
  • Athokpam Milan Singh
  • Kshtrimayum Brojen
  • Pukrambam Samananda Singh
  • Moirangthem Uttam
  • Nameirakpam Nanao
  • Takhellambam Ako Singh
  • Koijam Ibochouba
  • Kumme Modiyam

🔴 NAGALAND – NSCN-LINKED ABSCONDERS