New Delhi: Manipur’s Director General of Police reached the hill district of Kangpokpi Monday for negotiations for the release of two Meitei youths taken hostage on 27 September. For the youths’ release, Kuki organisations are demanding the release of some Kuki prisoners and the incarceration of others in Kuki-majority areas, ThePrint has learnt.
Oinam Thoithoi (26), Thokchom Thoithoiba (27), and Ningombam Johnson (25), Friday, were travelling to appear for a military recruitment rally at the Imphal West district when they went missing. While Johnson has been released, the Manipur government and the security forces have not succeeded in securing the return of Thoithoi and Thoithoiba so far.
“We have talked to the Kuki groups on the issue and are trying to resolve it at the earliest. We do not want loss of life so we are trying to get it settled amicably. We have been assured that the boys are safe,” said a senior police officer, speaking to ThePrint.
In a notification released Monday, the Manipur government extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the entire state for another six months, with effect from Tuesday, except in the areas under 19 police stations, including Jiribam, Imphal and Bishnupur.
A member of a Kuki organisation told ThePrint that the two Meitei youths were taken hostage to secure “the transfer of Kuki-Zo prisoners from Imphal to Kuki-dominated areas like Churachandpur or Kangpokpi”.
The Kukis, he said, have not demanded the release of any specific prisoner in exchange for the two youths. However, official sources in the Assam Rifles confirmed that such a demand had been made, without mentioning names.
Recalling the sequence of events, the Kuki organisation’s member said, “Three Meiteis crossed the buffer zones. Our people apprehended them. On hearing the news, the security forces intervened and pressured us with the threat of serious consequences. One was released as part of the negotiations.”
On Saturday, Assam Rifles secured the release of Johnson and handed him over to Manipur Police. Johnson reached his home in the Thoubal district on Sunday morning. However, where exactly he was rescued from by Assam Rifles remains unknown.
On the other two youths, the Kuki organisation’s member said, “They are still detained. Rumours about the boys being released are false—it’s just a tactic by Sunsindro (Manipur BJP MLA Leishangthem Susindro Meitei).”
Mark T. Haokip, currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency, is reportedly one of the prisoners whose release is being negotiated in exchange for the two Meitei youths’s release.
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Case sub-judice, imprisoned Haokip’s family says
In a statement Monday, Haokip’s father clarified that the family is unaware of the “alleged proposal”, emphasising that Haokip’s case is sub judice, meaning any actions must be pursued through legal channels.
“We, therefore, earnestly appeal to all communities in the state not to sensationalise the issue or add to our mental anguish, but instead to uphold and trust the rule of law,” his statement read.
A day earlier, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh took to social media platform ‘X’ to inform that he chaired a meeting of the ruling BJP’s and opposition parties’ legislators at the secretariat to discuss the crisis.
“Addressed the current situation in the state particularly focusing on the rescue (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,” Biren Singh posted on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Yambem Laba, a veteran journalist and the founder of the new Good Governance Party in Manipur, offered to mediate the talks between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
“I am willing to sit down with you and listen to whatever grievances you might have with the Meitei People and I in my humble way can convey it back. I am willing to meet you anywhere you may deem fit and talk it out bare,” his statement on his Facebook page reads.
He also requested “Kuki friends” to refrain from killing the two youths and rather “sit and negotiate” while making it clear that he is not a “friend” of the present government of Manipur and its leadership.
“I am not in a power to secure the release of Mark Haokip (Kuki prisoner) but can only appeal to your finer senses and not to kill them, for you can always say in the future that ‘We could’ve killed them but we let them live’ and score a point over your adversaries as and when one day you sit down to negotiate,” the statement added.
Also Read: Manipur solution lies in reconcile, reform, disarm. Not in dramatics
Dangerous activities must stop, says Meitei outfit
Speaking to ThePrint, journalist Laba acknowledged his statements that he could help mediate the crisis may pose risks for him within his Meitei community.
A former chairperson of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Laba previously ran a rehab centre in Imphal, which came under attack on 27 July last year. Laba claims it was done by a member of his community. A second attack occurred as recently as 10 September this year, during which, Laba claimed, 10 rounds were fired at his house.
“If they want to attack me for saving the lives of two Meiteis, I’m willing to sacrifice. I have that much courage. Otherwise, how can you move forward in life? My primary responsibility is to save the lives of these two Meiteis,” he said.
Laba said that a retired IAS officer, a former senior figure from the state administration, had established contacts with Kuki organisations and urged them not to harm the two youths.
The Meitei Heritage Foundation has issued a statement, appealing to the Kuki community and their civil society organisations to intervene and ensure the safe and unconditional release of the youths.
“It is crucial that humanitarian principles are upheld to prevent further escalation. Such dangerous activities must be stopped at the outset before they set a harmful precedent,” the statement read.
While expressing gratitude for the release of one boy, they reiterated their firm stance that acts of abduction and conditional release have no place in civil society. They called upon the Kuki community to take immediate action to secure the release of the youths without further harm.
“Such a gesture will go a long way in building trust between the two communities and de-escalating the violence,” they stated.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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The govt must not negotiate with narco-terrorists. Manipur must be placed under President’s rule and the Indian armed forced must be given a free hand to deal with narco-terrorists operating across the India-Myanmar border.
Let’s bake the cookies!