Abducted Meitei youth released in exchange for 11 Kuki prisoners

Their release coincided with the release of 11 Kuki prisoners from Imphal’s Sajiwa jail.

Two Meitei youths allegedly abducted by Kuki extremists on September 27 were released unharmed early Thursday (October 3, 2024) morning.

Their release coincided with the release of 11 Kuki prisoners from the Sajiwa jail on the outskirts of the State’s capital Imphal. It was one of several preconditions set by the abductors although the police claimed they were in prison despite getting bail because of the conflict situation.

“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 valued,” Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh posted on X.

Earlier, the State government sent Director General of Police Rajiv Singh to the Kangpokpi district to negotiate with the Kuki leaders to secure the release of the two youths who strayed into a Kuki-dominated area.

They were among three who went missing on Friday after they left their homes in the Thoubal district on a two-wheeler to take part in an Army recruitment rally at New Keithelmanbi in the Imphal West district. Ningombam Johnson Singh was released on the same day by the abductors but Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Singh were held hostage.

Johnson Singh later said the trio relied on Google Maps but set their destination as Keithelmanbi, a Kuki area in the Kangpokpi district, instead of New Keithelmanbi, a Meitei area.

The abduction of the youth sparked protests across the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley with a Joint Action Committee calling for a 48-hour shutdown from October 1.

Arms looted from police station

A mob looted 21 firearms from the Ukhrul police station after the exchange of gunfire between residents of Hungpung and Hunphun villages adjoining Ukhrul town on October 2. The gunfight was over a land dispute between the people of the two villages.

Ukhrul is about 80 km northeast of Imphal.

A police official said the mob decamped with eight 9mm pistols, six INSAS rifles, three AK-47 automatic rifles, two 9mm carbines, a self-loading rifle, and a Sten gun. The mob also looted 981 rounds of ammunition.

The incident happened close to midnight on Wednesday (October 2, 2024)

The Manipur police issued a message to police chiefs of all districts and other security officials to remain on high alert to ensure “proper security for arms and ammunition”.

There have been several instances of weapons looted from the State armouries, police stations, and outposts since the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people began on May 3, 2023. More than 230 people have died and some 60,000 were displaced in the conflict.

Published - October 03, 2024 08:40 am IST