Imphal: Manipur Police on Saturday arrested the prime accused involved in burning a construction material-laden truck traveling from Dimapur to Imphal at Kabinam village in Senapati district along National Highway 102 on March 2, 2026.
The key accused, identified as Ramayo Vashum (51), son of Sathphang Vashum and a resident of Senapati district, Manipur, was arrested during a raid at his hideout in Kathiko Karong, Senapati.
Police reported that a team led by the Officer-in-Charge of Senapati district police, Shivin, IPS (P), developed credible technical inputs.
Acting on these inputs, two teams led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Senapati and the Special Operations Team (SOT) conducted the raid.
During the arrest, two mobile phones, suspected of being used to coordinate the offence, were seized. Following the interrogation of the arrested individual, the vehicle used to reach the arson site was also traced and recovered.
The movement of the vehicle was corroborated by CCTV footage near the crime scene.
The seized items include a Gypsy (Registration No. MN08 A0099), a Vivo Y200 mobile phone, and a Kechaoda K66 keypad mobile phone.
Police further reported that on the day of the incident, two armed men intercepted the truck (NL07AA 2863), whisked away its three occupants, and set the vehicle on fire.
The vehicle reportedly belongs to the General Secretary of the North East Federation of Trade Unions (NEFTU).
Efforts are ongoing to arrest the other accused involved in the crime. Prompt police action followed strong condemnation from civil society organisations, including the Maram Students’ Union (MKS), ANTAM, and NEFTU, who urged authorities to apprehend the perpetrators at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (NSCN/GPRN) stated that they had been informed of Ramayo Vashum’s arrest.
The outfit, in a statement, clarified that Vashum, a former Major in the Naga Army, was given forced retirement in 2022 due to unbecoming conduct during his service.
The organisation expressed regret over his involvement in such anti-social activities, emphasising that the incident was entirely his personal action and had no connection with the organisation.