Two abducted individuals were found dead in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Thursday, hours after 21 civilians who had been held captive along the Ukhrul–Imphal road were safely released, officials said. The state government has decided to hand over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The development was reported in the ongoing seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly during a calling attention motion raised by Congress MLA K Meghachandra on incidents of gunfire and abduction in the region.
Responding to the motion, Manipur Home Minister K Govindas informed the House that a gunfight broke out between two armed groups between 6.30 am and 9 am on Wednesday in the Mapithel hill range of Ukhrul district. The clash reportedly followed the abduction of two villagers belonging to the Kuki community.
During the exchange of fire, a civilian identified as Lalminthang Haokip, 40, sustained a minor bullet injury and was evacuated to a health centre in Kangpokpi district for treatment, the minister said.
Govindas added that in retaliation, 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community travelling along the Ukhrul–Imphal road were abducted by members of the Kuki community at Shangkai village in Ukhrul district.
Also read: 21 Naga civilians released post overnight negotiations in Ukhrul
The situation triggered concern in the state capital, prompting Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand to hold a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday evening. The chief minister later issued a statement appealing for the safe and unconditional release of the civilians and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for unlawful acts.
Following efforts by the district administration and civil society organisations from both communities, the 21 civilians were released safely at around 3 am on Thursday, Govindas informed the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the bodies of two abducted individuals were recovered from the Mapithel hill range on Thursday morning. The deceased were identified as Thengin Baite of Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district and Thangboimang Khongsai of Shangkai village in Ukhrul district.
Supplementing the home minister’s statement, Leader of the House Y Khemchand said the incident reflected a worrying trend of resolving disputes through violence.
He told the Assembly that the killing of the two civilians would be handed over to the NIA for investigation so that those responsible could be identified and brought to justice.
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