Imphal, June 7: A joint search operation by central and state security forces has been underway for nearly four weeks in Manipur. Despite these efforts, approximately 20 members of the Naga and Kuki communities, allegedly abducted by armed groups, are still unaccounted for.
A police officer reported that to mitigate the impact of recent violence in Kangpokpi district, security forces conducted sudden joint search operations in the areas surrounding the villages of Litang, Mahadev, and Sinakethal, located along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2).
The officer noted that security personnel patrolled the villages inhabited by both communities and identified and destroyed several illegal bunkers.
Authorities have reached out to village officials and civil society organizations (CSOs) for necessary cooperation, assuring them of a continued security presence in the area to address any threats. They have also requested local youth to raise awareness and ensure they are not influenced by events occurring in other regions or involved in violence near their villages.
The officer further stated that operations will continue in Kangpokpi, Senapati, and surrounding districts to ensure the safety and welfare of local residents, maintain highway security, and rescue the 20 hostages—six from the Naga community and 14 from the Kuki community.
Various organizations representing both communities are actively protesting and demanding the safe release of the abducted individuals.
According to the officer, following violent incidents on May 13, at least 50 individuals from the Kuki and Naga communities were reportedly taken hostage by various armed groups in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district and the Naga-majority Senapati district.
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of officials, community leaders, and several civil society organizations, approximately 30 individuals from both communities were released on May 14 and 15.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh previously stated that cases related to the abduction of six Naga villagers and the murder of three church leaders on May 13 have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, security forces arrested two active members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), from the Waithou Sangomsang area in Thoubal district.
The arrested militants were identified as Sansam Sanmatum Meitei, also known as Tompok or Oneman (32 years old), and Yengkokpam Premchand Singh, also known as Chingsanglakpa (26 years old).
In another operation, security forces seized a significant amount of weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the India-Myanmar border areas in Tengnoupal district. The recovered items included a homemade gun, a 9 mm pistol (with magazine), a .22 American pistol (with magazine), four radio sets, and four improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
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