Manipur: Two arrested for damaging cars of civvies police
On September 30, 2025, a tense confrontation unfolded at Khewa Phurju in Imphal East’s Khundrakpam constituency when local villagers—many working under the MGNREGA scheme—stopped two unmarked vehicles they found behaving suspiciously. The vehicles contained plainclothes officers who said they were there to seize drugs; a mob then vandalized two unregistered cars (a Hyundai i20 and a Maruti Baleno) and assaulted the occupants. Police later arrested two alleged main accused — Konjengbam Nana (aka Arunjit), 21, and Heikrujam Khamba Meitei, 43 — during early-morning operations at their homes.
- People were working under MGNREGA on the morning of September 30, 2025. Local residents were engaged in government work activities when they noticed two vehicles moving repeatedly in the area.
- Suspicious vehicles stopped by villagers. The vehicles — later reported to be a Hyundai i20 and a Maruti Baleno — lacked registration numbers and were observed moving back and forth, which raised alarm among the workers. The villagers stopped the vehicles and asked what the occupants were doing.
- Plainclothes officers identified themselves and declared they were there to seize drugs. The occupants revealed they were police personnel dressed in civilian clothes and said their purpose was to apprehend a suspect or seize narcotics. That admission triggered immediate suspicion and anger.
- Tension escalated into vandalism and assault. The onlookers reacted strongly: a mob vandalized the two unregistered vehicles and assaulted the occupants, who reportedly fled into the nearby 7 MR campus. Some police uniforms were later found inside the cars.
- Security reinforcements and recoveries. Reinforcements arrived on the scene and took the vehicles into custody after the incident
- Two arrests following investigation. On October 1–2, police arrested Konjengbam Nana (Arunjit), 21, of Pukhao Naharup and Heikrujam Khamba Meitei, 43, of Khewa Phurju — whom authorities identified as the main accused involved in the arson, mob attack, assault on security personnel and vandalism. The arrests were carried out at their homes during early morning operations.
- Where: Khewa Phurju, Imphal East (Khundrakpam constituency) — a rural locality where community members were working under MGNREGA when the incident occurred.
- The vehicles: A Hyundai i20 and a Maruti Baleno — both reportedly unregistered. These were the cars that residents stopped after seeing them move suspiciously.
- The alleged plainclothes officers: Occupants of those cars who identified themselves as police personnel and said they intended to seize drugs. The presence of uniform pieces inside the cars later suggested the occupants had police gear.
- The accused arrested: Konjengbam Nana (Arunjit), 21 (Pukhao Naharup) and Heikrujam Khamba Meitei, 43 (Khewa Phurju). Police described them as the main accused for their roles in the mob attack and vandalism.
FAQs
Q1: Who were arrested in connection with the Khewa Phurju incident?
A1: Police identified and arrested Konjengbam Nana (aka Arunjit), 21, of Pukhao Naharup, and Heikrujam Khamba Meitei, 43, of Khewa Phurju, as the main accused in the incident where two unregistered vehicles were vandalized and occupants assaulted. The arrests were made during early-morning operations at their homes.
Q2: Why did villagers vandalize the cars?
A2: Villagers noticed the two vehicles moving suspiciously while they were working under MGNREGA. After stopping the cars, the occupants—dressed in plain clothes—said they were there to seize drugs. That revelation, coupled with the vehicles lacking registration numbers, sparked a mob reaction that led to vandalism and assault.
Q3: Were the occupants actually police officers?
A3: Local reports said the occupants identified themselves as plainclothes police and that police uniforms were later found inside the vehicles. Official verification (which unit they belonged to, orders they were acting under) is part of ongoing investigations.
Q4: What legal charges could follow such an incident?
A4: Possible charges include criminal damage/vandalism, assault, rioting or participation in a mob, and obstruction of public servants. The exact charges depend on the investigation, evidence, and legal discretion of the police and public prosecutor.
Q5: How can such clashes be prevented in future?
A5: Prevention measures include better pre-operation communication with local leaders, clearer visible identification of plainclothes officers, use of marked backup vehicles, community policing liaisons, and de-escalation training for both police and community leaders. These steps reduce uncertainty — which is often the spark in such confrontations.
