Guwahati: Two men from the Meitei community, who were taken captive from Manipur’s Kangpokpi hills on 27 September, have been released, in exchange for the release of 11 Kuki prisoners from Imphal jail, who had already been granted bail.
The two Meitei men, identified as Oinam Thoithoi (26) and Thokchom Thoithoiba (27) from Thoubal district, are currently in the custody of Manipur Police.
Manipur Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh told ThePrint that the 11 prisoners, who had already been granted bail and were kept in Imphal prison for their own security, were taken to Kangpokpi and handed over to the Kuki groups. Without specifying the name of any organisation, Singh said it was also taken in writing from the said group that the prisoners would be sent to their respective homes.
The release of the two Meitei men has been secured, and the exchange took place in Saparmeina, he confirmed.
“These 11 Kukis are those who have already secured bail. But due to the situation being tense, they could not return home and were in Imphal jail. We have been facilitating the release of Kuki people who come out on bail in Imphal, but are unable to travel to hill districts due to safety concerns,” he said.
“Among those 11 Kuki, some are from Churachandpur, some from Kangpokpi and rest from other hill districts.”
Singh added that the Kuki groups were told that their demand of a separate police station on the disputed area of Imphal East—that the Kukis claim as their territory—is not something the police can fulfil.
“They were also told that their other demand of release and transfer of prisoners from Imphal jail to Churachandpur jail can also not be fulfilled by the police as it is the prerogative of the court and the court must be approached for the same,” he said.
The negotiations took time but the police ensured that it was done. The exchange happened early Thursday morning in presence of security officials from Central Armed Police Forces and local police, Singh confirmed.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh took to X to announce that the Meitei men had been “safely brought back”. He also appreciated the efforts of the state and central forces.
The two young men abducted in Kangpokpi on 27th September, 2024 have been safely brought back to the custody of @manipur_police . I sincerely appreciate everyone from both the state and central government who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. Your efforts are deeply…
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) October 3, 2024
The chief minister had previously said that the two men were “abducted by Kuki militants”.
While no Kuki outfit claimed responsibility for holding the Meitei men captive, the negotiations are believed to have been led by the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills (CoTU).
Media reports said that the demands included the release of T. Mark Haokip, one of the Kuki detainees currently lodged at Sajiwa Jail in Imphal. A human rights activist from Churachandpur, Haokip was arrested in May 2022 and slapped with charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
On Wednesday, Haokip’s father, M Limkhosei Haokip, issued a press statement over the detention of the two Meitei youth and what he called a “rumoured discussion for a proposed swapping” with his son, who is currently in judicial custody.
The family has said that it remains committed to justice and the rule of law. According to the statement, it was clarified that they had no knowledge about the alleged proposal. The statement further explained that the case of Haokip is subjudice, and any recourse has to be taken through legal means.
The two Meitei men were said to have gone missing after losing their way in the hills. They were reportedly travelling to appear for a military recruitment rally at New Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district, when they took a wrong turn and landed in Kangpokpi.
Previously, on 29 September, a third individual, Ningombam Johnson (25), who had travelled together with the missing duo, was released from the Kuki territory and brought back home by security forces.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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