A man and his wife have been arrested in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur as part of a National Investigation Agency (NIA)-led operation. This operation took place on Friday, with police confirming their identities as Pradip and Ayinghi, residents of Leilon Vaiphei, a village primarily inhabited by the Kuki community. The arrests were carried out by a combined team consisting of the Manipur Police, NIA, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) based on reliable information received by the authorities.

Background of the Case

The ongoing investigation relates to the incident that occurred on May 13, when six Naga civilians were reportedly killed in Leilon Vaiphei. According to a statement released by Manipur Police, methods for search and seizure were executed during the arrest, and additional legal processes are currently underway. The bodies of the six victims were discovered during a subsequent operation by security forces on June 10, in the vicinity of the village.

This case has intensified tensions and prompted widespread protests among the Naga and Meitei communities in Manipur following the fatalities. The situation escalated after two ambushes on the same day, which involved the kidnapping of members from both ethnic groups. A total of 20 Naga individuals were taken hostage while travelling after the ambushes in Kangpokpi district and Noney, resulting in fatalities among both communities.

That same evening, 28 members of the Kuki community were also reportedly kidnapped by Naga groups. Following sustained calls for intervention from various organisations and the state government, 14 of the hostages from both sides were released on May 15. The remaining Kuki hostages were eventually freed on June 9, but tragically, the disfigured bodies of the six Naga hostages were found the following day during a security operation.

Reactions to the Incident

The recovery of the Naga civilians’ bodies has led to significant unrest. In the aftermath, Henlienthang Thanglet, the chairman of the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), issued an apology regarding the killings, stating that the Kuki-Zo community had made a serious error. He expressed regret and called for a thorough investigation into all violent incidents associated with the rising ethnic tensions in Manipur. His remarks were covered by news agency PTI, wherein he explicitly condemned the actions taken against the civilians and acknowledged the emotional factors that led to the incident.

However, subsequent clarifications from the KZC suggested that Thanglet’s apology had been misunderstood. The organisation claimed his expressions of sorrow were made in the spirit of compassion and were not intended to imply collective guilt. This clarification followed backlash from a prominent Naga students’ organisation, which expressed dissatisfaction with the KZC’s official statement.

As investigations continue, both communities are observing the developments closely. Authorities are committed to ensuring justice and maintaining order amidst the ongoing conflict, and the situation remains fluid as new information arises. The actions taken by law enforcement agencies and the community’s responses will be critical in navigating this challenging period in Manipur.

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