Two people said to have been kidnapped on Wednesday were found murdered on Thursday, after 21 civilians who were allegedly captured in retaliation were released along the Ukrul-Imphal road, Chief Minister Yomnam Khemchand informed the ongoing Manipur budget session.
He said the case would be referred to the National Investigation Agency.
The deceased have been identified as Thingin Paet of Thway Kuki village in Kamjong district and Thangpuimang Khongsay of Shangkai in Ukhrul district. The Prime Minister made the statement on Thursday during the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal.
Raising the issue through an attention seeking motion, Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur Home Minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation in the wake of reports of heavy exchange of fire in Thawai village and kidnapping of civilians along the Imphal-Ukrul road. Responding to the motion, Govindas informed the House that a gun battle took place between two armed groups from around 6.30 am to 9 am on Wednesday at Mapithil hill range in Ukhrul district. The fighting occurred after unknown armed groups kidnapped two Kuki villagers.
The minister said that during the exchange of fire, a civilian named Laminthang Haokip (40 years old) was slightly injured by bullets and was taken to a health center in Kangbukpi district for treatment. He further informed the House that in retaliation, 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkul Naga community who were traveling along the Ukhrul-Imphal road were kidnapped by some members of the Kuki community at Shangkai village in Ukhrul district.
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Govindas said CM Kemchand held a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation.
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister issued a statement in which he called for the safe, immediate and unconditional release of kidnapped civilians. He added that with the intervention of the district administration and civil society organizations, the 21 civilians were released safely on Thursday.
