Imphal: Security forces on Wednesday intensified combing operations in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district as they search for people still being held hostage by armed groups. Sniffer dogs have been deployed to assist teams scouring the hill ranges, police said.
“Combing and search operations are being continued by security forces to rescue the missing persons in the hill ranges surrounding Leilon Vaiphei, Songtun, Khunkho and P Molding villages of Kangpokpi district,” the police said in a statement.
The operation follows a deadly ambush on May 13 in Kangpokpi, when suspected militants shot dead three church leaders and injured four others, PTI reported. Hours after the attack, armed groups abducted more than 38 people from Kangpokpi
and neighbouring Senapati district and took them to undisclosed locations, officials said. So far, 31 abductees have been released.
Earlier releases included 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village in Kangpokpi and 14 people from Senapati — four men and ten women — who belong to the Kuki community, authorities said.
A Liangmai Naga community leader met Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Naga leader told the chief minister that “even if the missing people are dead, their bodies should be handed over to their families.” He also sought prompt information on their fate.
Protests have added to tensions across the state. The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga tribes in Manipur, has staged inter-district blockades on National Highway-2 and National Highway-37 since Sunday night. The UNC said the blockades are intended to press for the release of six Naga men whom it believes are in militant captivity.
On the other hand, Kuki Inpi-Manipur, the apex organisation representing Kuki tribes in the state, has accused Naga groups of holding 14 members of the Kuki community hostage.