The bodies of six individuals, believed to be Naga civilians who went missing on May 13, were found in Manipur on Wednesday after a coordinated search operation by security forces. Officials reported that DNA tests will be conducted to confirm their identities. The discovery comes shortly after the release of 14 Kuki civilians, who were held by Naga groups for several weeks.

Manipur Police stated that the search involved approximately 450 personnel from the state police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Assam Rifles, along with sniffer dogs and forensic teams. A statement released on social media by the police indicated that the search lasted nearly 24 hours before the remains were recovered.

Authorities noted that the bodies were in a state of severe decomposition, complicating visual identification. Forensic examinations are expected to be conducted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal.

Background of the Incident

The six missing individuals have been identified by relatives and community groups as Manu Thiumai, Kenpibou, Phenrongwi Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai, and Ch Phenrilung. They reportedly went missing while travelling through Leilon Vaiphei Village in Kangpokpi district after returning from Konsakhul.

This incident is reportedly connected to violence that erupted in parts of Noney and Kangpokpi districts on May 13, which resulted in the deaths of four civilians, including three church leaders. Following these events, it has been claimed that 48 individuals from both Naga and Kuki communities were taken hostage by rival groups.

In the days following the abduction, an initial release of 28 hostages — 14 from each community — occurred, leaving the six Naga civilians and 14 Kuki civilians unaccounted for until the Kuki individuals were released earlier this week.

Reactions and Ongoing Investigations

The United Naga Council (UNC) has stated that it unconditionally released the 14 Kuki civilians on humanitarian grounds, emphasising the need to continue searching for the missing Naga individuals. UNC President Ng Lorho commented that this decision was influenced by assurances from authorities about pursuing the search for the missing civilians.

Authorities have committed to making every effort to ascertain the status of the missing individuals, with past assurances made to Naga civil organisations reinforcing this promise. Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the leading Kuki organisation in the state, expressed condolences regarding the recovery and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

In light of the recent recovery, authorities have heightened security measures, and an investigation into the events leading to the deaths is already underway. Sporadic incidents of unrest have prompted heightened vigilance among security agencies as ethnic tensions persist in various parts of Manipur.

In a related occurrence, police reported that two trucks were set on fire by a mob in Senapati district on Wednesday evening, following the announcement of the bodies’ recovery. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as a result of this incident.

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