According to sources, one of the arrested persons —David Chongloi, a resident of Jangloi in Manipur, is believed to have been involved in the murder to avenge his brother’s death. The accused’s brother was allegedly murdered in August 2007. Chongoi had joined hands with Hangsing’s rival groups to settle a score.

Out of the four accused, Chongloi, RK Ricky, Ranbir Singh are residents from Assam while Ojit Kumar is from Manipur. They were presented in a Tis Hazari court on Wednesday and have been sent to eight days in police custody.

Hangsing was murdered on November 12, 2007, by unidentified assailants in Hari Nagar Ashram in South Delhi. Hangsing was the self-styled chief of KRA which was formed in December 1999 with the support of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).

A manhunt was launched by the Special Cell. After investigations, the police arrested two assailants.

One Malkit Singh, 24, was arrested in Jalandhar and Wahengbam Thoithoiba Meitei, a Manipuri, was arrested in Chandigarh. The two had initially said that due to a financial dispute, the murder of Hangsing was committed at the behest of the members of banned Manipur outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF).