NSCN (IM) asserts not to give up on sovereign rights of Nagas
HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, Aug 3: Commemorating the 10thanniversary of signing of the Framework Agreement (FA) with the Government of India, NSCN (IM) chairman Q Tuccu on Sunday asserted that they are not going to give up what was achieved on August 3, 2015, to reclaim our rightful place with sovereign right as a nation. In []
A Naga musician's note finds harmony in Kerala
In Kohima, Nagalands hilltop capital, music is not an extracurricular pursuit. It is life itself. Every home has a guitar resting in a corner, and melodies are passed down like heirlooms, from parents to children, siblings to siblings, and neighbours to neighbours. For Anovi Shohe, a 33-year-old Naga singer now in Kochi, those strings were the first threads that would lead him from childhood daydreams to founding a choir, the Kerala Singing Ambassadors, in Kochi TNIE catches up with Anovi to discuss his musical journey, the Nagaland music culture, becoming a finalist at the Vienna International Classical Singing, his vision for his ambitious choir project in Kerala, and more The Kerala Singing Ambassadors The first chord My father was a pastor in one of the biggest churches in Asia, he recalls, speaking of his upbringing in a family of ten siblings. The church and music were inseparable. I still remember being a little boy, sitting in the pews, drumming on my knees as the choir sang. Another memory is etched just as vividly: standing on the verandah, a paper microphone in hand, singing his heart out before his parents, his only audience. Even then, I would tell them. I want to be a musician. In Nagaland, the bond with music is communal. Every Naga family has a guitar, Anovi says. Even if we werent formally trained, we learned from each other. You know something, you share it with your friends and neighbours. Thats how I learned. For the youngest in a large family, Anovis path was shaped by his older brothers. One of my brothers dreamed of being a musician, but he couldnt pursue it. So he passed that dream to me, he says. Another insisted that Anovi learn the drums so the brothers could form a band. We played locally, but later, everyone got busy and it stalled. Still, the spark was alive. But, of course, there were many hurdles when he committed to his dream. Like many Indian parents, Anovis family worried about stability. Even in Nagaland, people said I should become an engineer or a doctor. They used to say, How else will you survive? he remembers. Yet, with his parents blessing and his brothers encouragement, Anovi refused to give up. I believed, maybe God had a plan for me. Anovi Shohe The miracle at home His then dream was to study at Trinity College in London, but the cost was daunting. The turning point came when his brothers friend, Lipokmar Tzudir, returned from Manila after training in music and opened The Nagaland Conservatory of Music in Dimapur. It was a miracle, Anovi says. Teachers came from abroad, some even international award winners. Suddenly, world-class music education was at our doorstep. Anovi joined the first batch in 2012, intending to major in violin. But the choir drew him in. I loved the idea of conducting, of leading voices together, he says. He switched to voice (western classical), studying under Philippine teachers, though for years he wasnt allowed to sing in the choir because of its technical differences with classical solo training. Anovis chance finally came in his final year, at a Christmas concert with international visitors. It was tough learning 15 songs at once but unforgettable. He graduated in 2016. Later, he worked in churches and founded The Choral Project, a choir that performed at small and big events, including the famous Hornbill Festival. Proceeds often went into community causes, such as repairing a local school roof. It was never just about music, Anovi says. The Kerala Singing Ambassadors during a practice session The Vienna run In 2019, he took a leap of faith and competed in the Vienna International Classical Singing Competition. I was a finalist. Imagine, a boy from a small Indian city standing beside Europeans in their own tradition, Anovi says, still awed. It was also humbling. I realised how much I still had to learn. But back home, people began to see me as a serious musician. That experience deepened his conviction: music was not a gift for a chosen few. Everyone has music in them, Anovi insists. Some are naturally talented, but with hard work and guidance, anyone can learn. Music is universal. Its in the way we speak, in everyday rhythms. The sad state of affairs in India is that we confine music to Bollywood or Tollywood. Parents dont see its value beyond that. In 2023, while weighing offers abroad, Anovi accepted a role at Crossroads, a music academy in Kochi. Prior to that, in 2017, I had taught at a private school in Kochi for a short period. About five to six months. So the culture here was familiar to me. I used to tell my family that though Kerala and Nagaland are on two corners of India, the way people live and interact is very similar open-minded, friendly, and warm. I have never felt lonely in Kerala. This helped me make my decision, Anovi says. At Crossroads, he teaches voice and the Trinity syllabus, but goes beyond it by encompassing elements of world music, pop, contemporary, etc. Anovi also organises regular recitals. In many schools, music is just a filler subject, one hour a week. That cant build real musicians. We want to change that, he says. The Kerala Singing Ambassadors during a practice session Kerala Singing Ambassadors It was also at Crossroads that Anovi launched his most ambitious project yet: the Kerala Singing Ambassadors, a professional choir with a vision as wide as its name. My dream is that one day, these kids will represent Kerala around the world, he says. Founded last year with about 30 members, the choir already has three arms: the main choir itself, the Tela (Hebrew for Child of God) choir, for children, and the Tabernacle, envisioned for older participants seeking healing and community. Unlike traditional church choirs, their repertoire spans from Christian hymns to love songs, pop to classical. We practice on Fridays, and from the response Im getting, it is taking off well. I always tell my students: dont imitate the voices you hear on YouTube or Spotify. You have one voice, your own. Sing in that voice, Anovi says. According to him, if someone says, You sang beautifully like that singer, thats not a compliment. On the choirs future, Anovi says, Theres huge potential, and points to the example of The Nagaland Chamber Choir, which recently won two gold medals in South Korea, and The Nagaland Madrigal Singers, which triumphed in Australia/New Zealand. These competitions are judged by professional musicians. And to win is a great honour. Thats the standard we aim for. Anovi says. The Kerala Singing Ambassadors during a practice session Beyond music But the choirs mission goes beyond accolades. Our youth are wasting their lives on drugs. We want to give them purpose, a healthy community, Anovi stresses. Choir is not just about singing. Its about building friendships, finding confidence, and healing. The choirs performances are already creating a stir. At a music event earlier this year, audiences stayed seated long after most of the programme had ended, waiting for the Ambassadors to perform. Dressed in black outfits with Kerala motifs, they sang with a maturity that belied their age. The choirs inclusivity is key. Even if you cant sing, you can join, says Anovi. Play an instrument, design costumes, help backstage everyone has a role. Its about building a big, healthy community. To find friends, fight loneliness, and even overcome depression. And the response has been heartening. When students win competitions, their parents send me messages of gratitude, Anovi says. Even playback singers and band members are now coming for training, realising voice technique matters. Talent pool For now, the Kerala Singing Ambassadors rehearse for a performance in Bengaluru. But Anovis dreams stretch further: a full-fledged conservatory in Kerala. Talent is immense here, he says. If we build a conservatory, bring in real teachers, even start an opera house, Kerala could be on the world music map. Why should our kids have to go abroad when we can create that here? Its a vision rooted not only in ambition but in faith. Music has always been part of my life from drumming on a church bench as a child to now leading a choir. I believe it can heal, inspire, and transform. Thats what we want to give Kerala, says Anovi. While I still harbour a dream to become a conductor, my mission now, and perhaps my greatest reward, is to see a student I trained perform internationally.
Nagaland holds mega identification and assessment camp for CwSN
HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, July 30: The Nagaland government organised a mega identification and assessment camp for children with special needs (CwSN) to mark the 5th anniversary of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Nagaland Education Mission Society, Samagra Shiksha, organised the camp, in collaboration with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) under the National Health Mission, []
Centre dedicates 10 PMSHRI schools to Nagaland
HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, July 29: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan dedicated 10 PMSHRI schools and laid foundation stones for 23 hostels in Nagaland. The schools were officially dedicated to the nation by Pradhan in a virtual ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam on Tuesday. The event was streamed []
Eviction in Rengma: Dimapur Muslims asked to check influx
The military drill, which was named Exercise Drone Prahaar, was led by General Officer Commanding of the Dimapur-based Spear Corps (or III Corps) Lieutenant General Abhijeet S Pendharkar who observed that the drill designed to validate the integration of drone technology into tactical operations by Infantry and supporting arms
Nagaland: Sharp Decline in Road Accidents Across Dimapur, Chmoukedima, Niuland Districts
HT DIGITAL DIMAPUR, JULY 19: Road accidents in Nagalands Dimapur, Chmoukedima, and Niuland districts have registered a substantial fall in the first half of 2025, based on data made public by the Dimapur Traffic Police (DTP). Between January and June this year, there were just 40 road accidents in the three districtsa dramatic fall from []
Naga organic outlet opened in Delhi to promote organic farming in NE
HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, July 10: A Naga Organic outlet was opened at Safdarjung in New Delhi under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) by the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare to promote organic farming in NE states The outlet was inaugurated by joint resident commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi, []
Nagaland signs key MoUs with Japan prefectures to strengthen bilateral ties
HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, July 8: A high-level Nagaland delegation, led by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, signed key agreements with Japanese prefectures at the Embassy of India in Tokyo for strategic partnerships. Rio, accompanied by Abu Metha, adviser to the Chief Minister and chairman of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Hekani Jakhalu, []
Three dead, flight operation suspended as heavy rain wreaks havoc across Nagaland
JULY: Three people died, flight operations were suspended and vehicular movement was disrupted on National Highway 29 as incessant rain for the past few days caused flooding across Nagaland, officials said on Monday. Three persons, including a woman, were electrocuted to death in their homes in Dimapur, where floodwaters entered residential areas, while people were seen wading through chest-deep water, they said. The tragic incidents occurred over the weekend in Burma Camp and Kuda Village, the officials said. Flight operations at Dimapur Airport were completely suspended on Sunday after heavy rain inundated the runway and parking areas, an Airport Authority of India official said here. Multiple flights, including those of IndiGo and Air India Express, were cancelled, and passengers were advised to seek updates directly from airlines, he said. The crucial National Highway 29, connecting Dimapur with Kohima, also bore the brunt of the deluge. Landslides triggered by heavy rain have blocked sections of the four-lane highway, severely affecting vehicular movement and posing risks to commuters, the officials said. Dimapur, Kohima and Niuland were the most affected districts with reports of submerged bridges, extensive damage to homes, fisheries, and paddy fields, raising fears of food insecurity, they said. In Niuland district, as many as 70 villages have been affected by the deluge. Floodwaters rose as high as three feet in Half-Nagarjan in Dimapur, forcing residents to use boats and even swim. The district authorities said 52 people were rescued from severely inundated areas as part of ongoing evacuation operations. No fresh rainfall since last night has allowed water levels to gradually recede. However, officials remain on alert as more rain is expected in the coming days, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Dr Tinojongshi Chang told PTI. The DC also stated that the local administration and the District Disaster Management Authority will hold a coordination meeting during the day to assess the situation as the IMD has forecast heavy rain for the week. As monsoon rain continues to batter the region, state authorities and disaster management agencies are on high alert, with citizens urged to avoid flood-prone zones and remain vigilant.
Three Dead as Floods and Electrocutions Devastate Dimapur and Kohima
HT DIGITAL KOHIMA, JULY 7: Continuous rain over the weekend has dipped Dimapur and areas of Kohima in Nagaland into a state of crisis, with many areas under water and citizens compelled to live in unsafe and disorganized conditions. Not only did the continuous downpour create widespread flooding, but it also resulted in multiple tragedies, []
Female skeletal remains retrieved from Dzu river downstream
HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, July 6: Kohima police retrieved human skeletal remains of an unidentified person from the Dzu river downstream at Zero Point, near Chedema, at around 5 pm on Saturday. PRO, Kohima police, in a release, on Sunday said after thorough inquest and post-mortem examination, the remains have been identified as belonging to a []
Air passenger traffic across India soars by 6.6% in opening months of fiscal 2025-26
NEW DELHI: The total passenger traffic across airports in India has grown by 6.6% in the first two months of this financial year, compared to the corresponding period last year, reveals the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Srinagar and Amritsar airports, which were closed for some weeks due to the India-Pakistan conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 this year, have reported a steep decline on the patronage front. AAI data reveals that 71.14 million passengers travelled during April-May of 2025 as compared to 66.73 million in the period in 2024. International traffic soared by 8.8% in the period compared with 13.4 million travellers compared to 12.31 million earlier. Domestic traffic has recorded a 6.1% growth with 57.74 million against the previous 66.73 million. A total of 5.54 crore Air Traffic Movement Movements (Arrivals and Departures) have been recorded in April-May 2025, up by 6.5% over the same period last year, the data shows. The freight traffic too has boomed with an 8.1% increase in April and May of 2025 over the previous year by transporting 643.47 metric tonnes. Airports which have been severely impacted due to Indo-Pak tensions were on expected lines - Srinagar and Amritsar. Passenger traffic in Srinagar dipped by a whopping 67.1% in the two months. Srinagar International Airport had a patronage of just 1,61,214 flyers as compared to 4,89,561 earlier. The Sri Guru Ramdas Ji airport in Amritsar too followed suit with 1,56,288 passengers in the first two months of this fiscal as compared to 2,75,837 last year. The top three airports in passenger traffic in the country continue to be Delhi (93,89,191 flyers), Mumbai (65,68,271) and Bengaluru (64,43,050). The KIA airport in Bengaluru continues its non-stop growth trajectory by recording a 6.7% growth over its performance in April-May 2024. However, Delhi has dipped by 1.2% and Mumbai by 0.5% during the compared period. Airports which have done significantly well over their past performance in the two-month period compared in succeeding years are Bhubaneshwar (25.5% over previous period), Tirupati (49.2%), Varanasi (25.8%) Kannur (33.2%), Patna (32.1%), Agra (77.8) and Agati (42.5%), Durgapur (37%), Bhuj (48.6), Cudappah (58.8%), Dharbanga (52.2%), Dehradun (29.1%), Cooch Behar (38.4%), Dimapur (27.4%), Gorakhpur (995) and Hubballi (37.1%), Jabalpur (92.2%), Jaisalmer (86.4%), Kanpur (57%) and Kishangarh (38.9%), Rajahmundry (46.3%) Nanded (28.3%) Kurnool (34.3%) and Shivamogga (85.5%)
Ahmedabad plane crash: Crew member's mortal remains reach Manipur, thousands pay tributes
IMPHAL: Thousands of people lined up on both sides of the roads to pay tributes to Ahmedabad crash victim Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma, whose mortal remains were brought to Manipur on Sunday. Sharma was an air crew member of the London-bound Air India flight AI 171 which crashed into a hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar moments after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.39 pm on June 12, killing 270 people, including 241 on board. One passenger survived. The moment was profoundly moving ... She was received with deep dignity, solemn respect, and heartfelt sorrow by Team Imphal Airport, not merely as colleagues in uniform but as family in mourning -- united in silence and reverence. With bowed heads and heavy hearts, she was tenderly handed over to her family, friends, and loved ones, whose presence spoke volumes of the love they carry and the void her absence leaves behind, Imphal airport said in a post on Facebook. A cousin of Nganthoi Sharma said that airport officials, family members and others paid floral tributes to her mortal remains after it was brought to Imphal airport aboard an IndiGo flight. Her mortal remains were accompanied by her father and elder sister, who had gone to Ahmedabad for DNA testing, she added. The mortal remains were later taken to her residence in Thoubal on an open truck as thousands lined up on both sides of the road to pay their tributes. Her last rites would be conducted later in the evening, another family member said. The mortal remains of another crew member from Manipur, Lamnunthem Singson, were brought to the state on June 19 . The remains were brought to Kangpokpi district via road from Dimapur airport aboard an IndiGo flight from Ahmedabad. Her final rites were conducted the next day.
NEW DELHI: Officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a meeting with insurgent Kuki-Zo groups and persuaded them to relocate and shut down seven designated camps under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement that are located near Meitei-dominated areas, sources said. They added that the MHA officials also stressed the recovery of looted weapons and the reopening of National Highways. Notably, security agencies on the ground in Manipur had earlier proposed the closure of seven out of 14 existing camps situated close to Meitei-inhabited areas in the Valley, the sources said. A source familiar with the talks said, The second round of talks was held earlier this week, where the two sides reached an understanding on the closure and relocation of at least seven SoO camps located close to Meitei-populated zones. He, however, clarified that there was no discussion on the extension of the SoO agreement, as the talks primarily focused on revising the ground rules, which is seen as a more immediate priority. FIR registered after Kuki student leader allegedly threatened Meiteis attending Shirui Festival The locations for the new camps would be discussed in a third meeting, which is yet to be scheduled. It has also been agreed in principle that any relocated camps should be in tribal areas, the source added. Rajya Sabha MP and ceremonial King of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, wrote in a Facebook post: The SoO Pact was signed in 2008 during the then State Congress Government with two Kuki-Zo umbrella insurgent groups UPF and KNO, comprising 25 groups with around 2,200 cadres. Earlier, their demand was autonomy, but after May 2023, they demanded a Union Territory or separate administration with a Legislative Assembly for the Kuki-Zo people. Such grave missteps of the previous government led to the chaotic situations in the state. The UPF and KNO had signed the tripartite SoO agreement in 2008 with the Centre and the state as parties to the pact, and since then, around 2,200 cadres from these 25 constituent groups have been residing in 14 designated camps across the hill districts of Manipur. As there was no discussion on the extension of the SoO agreement, representatives of the insurgent groups reportedly presented new proposals involving security arrangements. The MHA emphasised two key concerns the recovery of looted weapons and restoring full operation of National Highway-37 (ImphalJiribamSilchar) and National Highway-2 (DimapurImphalMoreh), both of which have remained blocked since ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023.
Body of Manipur crew member killed in Ahmedabad air crash brought home via Nagaland
Lamnunthem Singsons mortal remains received in Dimapur amid security concerns; final rites to be held in Kangpokpi
GUWAHATI: The mortal remains of Lamnunthem Singson (26), a cabin crew member from Manipur who lost her life in the Ahmedabad plane crash , will reach her home in Manipurs Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district late Thursday evening. The remains were brought to Nagalands commercial hub Dimapur from Ahmedabad by a flight in the afternoon. After a condolence service, a convoy of vehicles carrying the remains left for Kangpokpi. Family members, relatives, leaders from Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), Sadar Hills and community organisations were among those who were present at the airport. KSO Sadar Hills general secretary K Shongreng told this newspaper that the last rites would be performed on Friday afternoon. Lamnunthem was from the Kuki-Zo community. Her family lived in the Old Lambulane area of Imphal Valley before moving to Kangpokpi following the outbreak of the ethnic violence in 2023. Another woman cabin crew member from Manipur, Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma (22), had lost her life in the plane crash. She hailed from Thoubal district in the Imphal Valley. Her family is waiting for the arrival of her mortal remains. Earlier, Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) had appealed to all sections of the society to extend full cooperation and support in receiving the mortal remains of the two victims at the Imphal Airport and ensure their dignified return to their families for the final rites. If willing, the families may come forward to receive their daughters at the airport without hesitation. COCOMI is ready to extend any coordination or assistance required during this process, the organisation had stated in a statement. Ahmedabad plane crash: DNA of 211 victims matched; 189 bodies handed over to families
Body of Kuki flight attendant from Manipur to land in Nagaland, take detour around Meitei areas
Air India flight attendant Lamnunthem Singson, a Kuki woman, will be buried in Kangpokpi, Manipur, her body rerouted via Dimapur due to ethnic tensions. Imphal was avoided despite being closer. Meanwhile, Kongbrailatpam Nganth8oi Sharma, a Meitei colleague, remains unidentified, her sister awaiting DNA confirmation in Ahmedabad. The Meitei Heritage Society has condemned attempts to politicize the tragic plane crash.
DNA Of Manipur Flight Attendant Matched, Family To Bring Body Via Dimapur
The body of one of the two flight attendants from Manipur who was killed in the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad has been identified from DNA samples, the family has said.
Trinity College London honours local teachers
SHILLONG, June 3: In a vibrant celebration of educational innovation, Trinity College London on Tuesday felicitated dedicated local teachers for their pivotal role in nurturing music, performance, communication and 21st-century skills among young learners. The felicitation events, held in Dimapur, Kohima, Guwahati, and culminating in Shillong at the Taj Vivanta, underscored a shared commitment to [] The post Trinity College London honours local teachers appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Torrential rains trigger fatal landslides, chaos across Northeast
GUWAHATI: Torrential monsoon rains wreaked havoc across parts of the Northeast on Friday, claiming two lives and prompting multiple state governments to issue advisories, close educational institutions and activate emergency protocols. A retaining wall collapsed in the Thuampui locality of Mizorams capital Aizawl on Friday morning, killing one person and injuring another. The injured individual was admitted to a hospital. Locals said the rains disrupted vehicular traffic in the area. Mizoram has been experiencing continuous downpours over the past few days, forcing the state government to announce a temporary closure of all educational institutes. They remained shut on Thursday and Friday. In neighbouring Nagaland, a 25-year-old truck driver from Assam was killed when a rock fell on his vehicle on the Dimapur-Kohima road on Friday morning. In Assam, several localities in Guwahati were inundated, bringing normal life to a standstill. With the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the region on Friday and Saturday, several states issued precautionary advisories for the public. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) warned that continued rainfall could worsen waterlogging and increase the risk of tree falls and landslides in vulnerable areas. The city authorities are closely monitoring the situation and emergency response systems are being kept on alert. In view of the situation, ASDMA requests all the people of the state, especially Guwahati city dwellers, to take all necessary precautions and remain vigilant, the ASDMA said in its advisory. It urged commuters and long-distance travellers to avoid unnecessary movement during periods of intense rainfall. Residents living in low-lying and hillside areas were advised to stay alert for any signs of flooding or landslides. In a similar advisory, the Manipur government urged citizens to stay informed and keep updated with the latest weather forecasts and warnings issued by local, state, and national authorities. It further asked people to ignore rumours and remain calm. Reinforce old doors and windows and secure loose objects in your houses. Prepare an emergency kit with essential items such as non-perishable foods, water, torch lights, first aid supplies, medicines for safety and survival. Stay away from flood and landslide-prone areas, rivers, and streams, the advisory read.
From Dimapur to Budapest: The Inspiring Journey of Abdon Mech
Voice from Nagaland meets the world in Budapest, unfolding a saga of endless dreams and boundless possibilities.
Kuki groups proposed meeting with uniformed personnel alarms police
GUWAHATI: Amid a relative lull in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, a Kuki-Zo organisations call to Kuki village chiefs and Kuki uniformed personnel to attend a meeting on April 30 in Kangpokpi district has alarmed Manipur Police. In a notice, the Superintendent of Police of Kangpokpi warned the uniformed personnel against attending the meeting. It is learnt from social media platforms that Kangchup Area Protection and Development Committee under the aegis of Kuki Inpi, South West Sadar Hills, has called for a meeting of all serving personnel of Civil Police, Manipur Rifles and India Reserve Battalion from Kuki villages of Kangchup area in K Ponlen village on 30/04/2025,he said. All concerned personnel are hereby sternly warned that the announcement made by the fictitious organisation is illegal, and any uniformed personnel attending the meeting will be considered to have committed gross service misconduct and strict disciplinary action will be initiated, the SP warned. The Kuki organisation had stated that all Kuki village chiefs of Kangchup would be required to send the uniformed personnel to its office in K Ponlien on April 30. It further stated that the meeting was being organised following detailed discussions with Kuki insurgent groups. Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police arrested the finance secretary of the banned Manipur rebel group Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Peoples War Group (PWG). Khundongbam Herojit Meitei was nabbed during an operation carried out in Meghalayas Ri-Bhoi district on Monday. The police said the operation was launched based on inputs that the person was involved in subversive activities, including extortion in Meghalaya as well as other neighbouring states. Meitei admitted that he is a member of the KCP (PWG) group and has been collecting money on behalf of the organisation. It appears, prima facie, that he was hiding in the Assam-Meghalaya border to avoid getting arrested. He is also suspected to be involved in criminal conspiracy with a few Myanmar and Nepal-based militant organisations, the police said. The police added that Meitei was arrested in Manipur last year for possessing an illegal firearm. He was also arrested earlier in Nagalands Dimapur in 2018 in a drug trafficking case.
