New Delhi: In what could become a new flashpoint in already tense Manipur, two Kuki civilians—who allegedly went missing after a clash with a group of Nagas in Thawai Kuki village Wednesday—have been found dead.
The battered bodies of Athipa Thengin Baite and Sopi Thangboimang were recovered near the village in Ukhrul district Thursday.
The police have registered a case of murder and investigation is on. Sources said the case is likely to be transferred to the National Investigation Agency due to its sensitive nature. Security arrangements have also been made in the area to ensure no further escalation happens.
The deaths could push Manipur into another cycle of violence. On Wednesday, around 20 people were taken captive on the Ukhrul-Imphal road within the jurisdiction of Litan police station allegedly by Kuki volunteers who were demanding the release of the two missing men.
Negotiations for the release of the 20 captives continued for hours, with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also appealing for their release. Eventually, after assurances that the two missing Kukis would be traced, the captives were released early Thursday.
A government source told ThePrint Thursday that the Thawai Kuki village clash broke out after a group of Nagas went to the village after getting information that some “Kukis were engaged in poppy cultivation”. When they attempted to stop them, the clash happened.
“Armed miscreants were also present on the Naga side. It is not yet clear whether they belonged to any militant outfit or were armed volunteers. During the confrontation, one Kuki sustained a bullet injury and two were taken captive. In retaliation, Kuki volunteers subsequently took at least 20 Nagas hostage,” the source said.
Post the clash Wednesday, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), representing Kuki tribal interests in Manipur, had said some armed miscreants, allegedly belonging to the NSCN-IM, had resorted to “unprovoked firing” at Thawai Kuki village.
The NSCN-IM is a Naga radical group that demands a separate flag and constitution.
Village volunteers then retaliated to protect paddy cultivators working in the fields until personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the 8 Bihar Regiment arrived, it said.
CoTU spokesperson Lun Kipgen told ThePrint that after the security forces arrived, firing from both sides ceased. However, two of their volunteers were captured. He added that it was because of this that Kuki volunteers detained some people on the Ukhrul-Imphal road to negotiate the release of the two Kuki men. The two missing men were found dead Thursday.
The Tangkhul Naga Long, an apex body of Tangkhul Naga tribe, had Wednesday released a statement alleging a pre-planned act of violence by “Kuki militants” against the Nagas.
“Since the early morning of 11 March, the Kuki militants wielding sophisticated weapons have been raiding Naga villages around Thawai Kuki area and firing shots at the innocent cultivators without any provocation, causing panic among the villages,” it said.
It added that they were giving a two-hour ultimatum for the rescue of the 20 hostages, else the state and central government shall be held “solely responsible for all the consequences that might ensue thereafter”.
Speaking to ThePrint, a senior police officer had said that a “clash” was reported between the Kukis and the Nagas. They denied any involvement of the NSCN-IM and said they had made efforts to trace the missing Kukis. The police said it was because of their efforts that the 20-people taken captive could be released Thursday.
“It appears that the two men (Kuki civilians) were killed much before and their bodies were only found now. Bodies have been sent for a post-mortem examination,” the officer said. “Forces have been deployed in the area. The situation remains very tense.”
Speaking about the deaths of the two Kukis, Kipgen said: “The situation is very bad. I have no words.”
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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