Assam Riffles and Manipur police in a joint operation on Monday morning nabbed three Kuki National Front (Nehlun) rebels with arms and ammunition in Imphal West district.
The arrested militants were allegedly involved in the killing of four civilians at B Gamnom village in Kangpokpi district.
Imphal West SP Dr. S Ibomcha said the arrested cadres confessed their involvement in the murder of the civilians and they committed the offence under the command of self-styled Chairman of the KNF, James Kipgen and Vice-Chairman Mangsat Haokip.
They are also involved in extortion, kidnapping and other crimes, said SP Ibomcha Singh.
He said police are trying to nab other cadres of KNF (N), including its chairman & vice-chairman, the alleged mastermind of the firing.
The arrested cadre were identified as Seigoulun Singsit, 20, Henminlun Misao alias Kevin, 29 and Hentinseh Singsit, 30.
The police recovered one 9mm Pistol loaded with a magazine with 5 (9mm) ammunition and another one .32 pistol, and a loaded magazine.
On October 12, four villages, including an 8-year old, were killed and two injured after suspected militants opened fire on a group of people attending a condolence service at the B Gamnom village in the Kangpokpi district.