Imphal/Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said that his government is focusing on the rescue of two Meitei men “abducted by Kuki militants”.
The chief minister was referring to two men in their 20s who have been missing since Thursday after reportedly losing their way into the hill district of Kangpokpi. They were travelling to appear for a SSC General Duty military recruitment rally at New Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district and lost their way, said local media reports.
On Sunday, Biren Singh took to ‘X’ to say that he chaired a meeting of legislators of both the ruling BJP and opposition parties at the Secretariat to discuss the situation.
“Addressed the current situation in the state particularly focusing on the recue (sic) of the abduction of two innocent youths by Kuki militants. We condemn such heinous acts and our government is working to secure the safe release of the victims,” he wrote.
Held a meeting with all the MLAs from both the Ruling and Opposition parties at my Secretariat, today.
Addressed the current situation in the state particularly focusing on the rescue of the abduction of two innocent youths by Kuki militants. We condemn such heinous acts and… pic.twitter.com/VV8bYklfrq
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) September 29, 2024
Meanwhile, a third individual, who had travelled together with the missing duo was reportedly rescued by the Assam Rifles and handed over to Manipur police. He was later taken to his home in Thoubal district Sunday morning, sources in the security establishment confirmed.
However, some from the Kuki-Zo community took to social media to state that the said person was “released” after straying into Kuki territory. With neither the Manipur police nor the Assam Rifles having issued any statement in this regard as yet, the exact location from where the third individual was rescued by security forces is yet to be ascertained.
Local media reports said the three men are residents of Khekman village in Thoubal district. While the missing two have been identified as Oinam Thoithoi (26) and Thokchom Thoithoiba (27), the third individual handed over to the police is Ningombam Johnson (25).
Information about the two Meitei men going missing came to light Friday through social media posts. On Saturday night, an unverified video surfaced of the duo at an undisclosed location, pleading for help from the chief minister. In the video posted by a YouTube channel that goes by the name of ‘Pothaminashi Khangminasi (PK)’, the two men are seen addressing Biren Singh as ‘pabung’ or father. Both appeared frightened, one in tears.
“We respectfully request your help. If you consider us your sons, please save us. We beg you to fulfil the demands made by our brothers here as soon as possible … This is an honest appeal to our respected chief minister,” they were seen saying in Meiteilon dialect.
They made no mention of any particular armed group or organisation, or their current location.
ThePrint could not independently authenticate the video in question.
ThePrint has reached Imphal police to seek clarity on the authenticity of the video and this report will be updated if and when a response is received.
Meanwhile, a public meeting was held at Khekman village Saturday to demand that the BJP government in the state secure the release of the two men. The meeting also led to the formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) which has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal district urging immediate intervention in the matter.
No Kuki-Zo civil society organisation or insurgent outfit has made any announcements or claims in connection with this case as yet.
The incident amid heightened tensions in both hill and valley districts in Manipur over intelligence inputs indicating the entry of “more than 900 Kuki militants” into the state from neighbouring Myanmar.
However, Manipur Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh in a joint statement issued Wednesday clarified that the intelligence inputs “could not be substantiated on the ground”. Later that same day, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) too backtracked on the claim. “…It is now ascertained that possibility of any such misadventure by armed groups is remote. The public need not worry further in this regard,” read a note issued by the CMO.
In July last year, two students from Imphal—Phijam Hemanjit (20) and Luwangbi Linthoingambi (17)—had gone missing amid the ethnic conflict in Manipur. By September 2023, photos were circulated suggesting that the two students were allegedly captured by “Kuki militants” and presumably killed.
Manipur government transferred the case to the CBI, which arrested five individuals including two minors, and filed a chargesheet, in connection with the case.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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