Assam Rifles Capture Key Suspect in 2023 Abduction and Murder of Two Meitei Students.

Nokjaging Baite Kuki, alias Tiger, a key member of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and a suspect in the abduction and murder of two Meitei students in July 2023, has been apprehended by the Assam Rifles in Churachandpur. His capture follows a series of violent incidents in Manipur that have intensified ethnic tensions, resulting in massive protests and over 260 fatalities since May 2023. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the murders, with Baite being handed over to the agency after his arrest on May 22, 2026. A non-bailable warrant was issued against him in June 2024, marking him as a proclaimed offender.

During his apprehension, Baite was found with an AK rifle, pistols, and grenades, and was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. He managed to evade capture for three years, previously slipping away during security operations. The CBI has linked him to multiple violent acts, including attacks on government officials and civilians, further highlighting his significant role in the ongoing conflict affecting the region. His operations were conducted in coordination with other insurgent members, complicating the security landscape in Manipur.

The UKNA has been active since 2015 and has significantly escalated its violent campaigns since Baite’s induction in 2021. This insurgent group’s actions have exacerbated the fraught relationship between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The ethnic violence, rooted in historical grievances and disputes over land and resources, poses a considerable challenge to peace and stability in Manipur.