Prime Accused in Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit Murder Case Arrested in Manipur
The prime accused in the kidnapping and murder case of two students from Manipur, Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit, has been arrested during a joint security operation in Churachandpur district, officials confirmed on May 23, 2026.
According to security sources, the arrest was made following specific intelligence inputs shared by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A combined team of central armed forces, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police launched an extensive search operation in the Henglep area, leading to the capture of Nohgin Baite Kuki alias Tiger Nohgin (39).
Officials identified the accused as the son of late Janglam Baite from Leimatak Bungmol village and alleged that he served as a commander of the militant outfit Kuki National Front (KNF) (Zougam).
Following his arrest, security personnel brought the accused to Imphal airport before transferring him to Guwahati on an Indigo flight for further legal proceedings.
The case dates back to July 6, 2023, when students Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit reportedly went missing after travelling on a motorbike toward Bishnupur district. The incident triggered widespread public outrage after disturbing photographs surfaced online in September 2023. One image allegedly showed the students sitting in the custody of armed men, while another reportedly displayed their bodies.
As protests intensified across valley districts in Manipur, the state government handed over the investigation to the CBI on August 23, 2023.
Subsequently, on October 1, 2023, a joint operation conducted by the CBI, Indian Army, and Assam Rifles led to the arrest of four accused individuals — Paominlun Haokip, Smalsawn Haokip, Lhingneichong Baite, and Paolunmang — who were suspected of direct involvement in the case.
Later, on January 3, 2024, the CBI filed two separate charge sheets before a designated special court in Kamrup, Assam, against five accused persons, including Nohgin Baite Kuki.
According to investigators, the two students were allegedly intercepted along the Old Cachar Road, abducted by armed individuals, and taken to an undisclosed location where they were reportedly killed.
Officials stated that while the four co-accused had already been arrested from Pune and Churachandpur in 2023, Nohgin Baite Kuki had remained absconding until his recent arrest.
Authorities also noted that the accused had previously been arrested in August 2020 by Bishnupur commandos and the 31 Assam Rifles in connection with an arms and ammunition case.
As of now, the CBI has not issued an official statement regarding the latest arrest in the high-profile murder investigation.
