Imphal: A couple were arrested by a joint team of the Manipur Police, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), on Friday, for their alleged involvement in the killing of six Nagas in the ethnic violence-hit state.
A “precise operation” was launched to apprehend Pradip and Ayingbi, allegedly involved in killings on May 13 in Kuki-dominated Leilon Vaiphei village, based on “credible inputs”, the Manipur Police said in a post on X.
Further search and seizure procedures were carried out, along with necessary legal formalities, the police said.
The six were among 20 Nagas abducted in Leilon Vaiphei village in the aftermath of a twin ambush in Kangpokpi and Noney districts that left four people, incl
uding three church leaders, dead. On the same evening, Nagas abducted 28 Kukis. Fourteen Nagas and Kukis each were released on May 15. Fourteen Kuki were freed on June 9, unharmed. Mutilated bodies of six Nagas were found the next day, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Tensions between the Nagas and Kukis have escalated since the May 13 twin ambush. Nagas have blocked national highways, demanding justice.
Ethnic clashes first started between the majority Meiteis from the valley and the Kukis from the hill districts. It then roped in all other communities in the state. The Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities have shut each other out of the areas they dominate since ethnic clashes began in May 2023, leaving at least 260 people dead and displacing 60,000.
While the Meiteis, who are mostly Hindu, live largely in the Imphal valley, the Kukis, predominantly Christian, reside in the hills. The Nagas also reside in the hills, but had stayed away from the ethnic clashes initially, before coming under attack. The state government has maintained that there are no buffer zones dividing communities in the state, but it has identified certain sensitive areas.
After remaining under President’s Rule for nearly a year, Manipur got a new government in February this year. This government includes representatives from all three major communities as part of an attempt to maintain ethnic balance.