The Manipur Police has expressed hope that the two abducted Meitei youth — who lost their way and are being held hostage in a Kuki-dominated area — could be released soon, with officials telling CNN-News18 that the state DGP was leading the negotiations and forces were close to achieving a breakthrough.
“We would have secured their release on Monday itself. But some hitches at the last moment obstructed the release. We are hopeful that in the next 24 hours, there will be positive news,” a senior police official said.
Oinam Thoithoi Singh, Ningombam Johnson Singh, and Thokchom Thoithoiba Singh had left for New Keithelmanbi to appear for an SSC GD recruitment exam on September 27. As per officials, they lost their way and reached Kangpokpi — a Kuki-dominated area.
Ningombam told the local media that they were led astray by a location-tracking app. As per Ningombam ‘s account, they were stopped by Kuki women after crossing the buffer zone. The trio was held hostage by village defence volunteers and police suspect that subsequently, Kuki militants took their custody. While Ningombam Singh’s release was secured by the Indian Army and security forces within 24 hours, the other two continue to be held hostage.
DGP Rajiv Kumar was rushed to Kangpokpi by chief minister Biren Singh as protests broke out. Officials said the top cop and accompanying officials were assured that the abducted duo were safe. “We are very hopeful that they will be returned unharmed,” an official who is part of the rescue efforts told CNN-News18.
Meanwhile, massive protests broke out in Thoubal, the home district of the abducted duo. In a video that has gone viral, the youth referred to CM Singh as their father and pleaded for help.
As per sources, the Kuki groups have demanded the release of Mark Haokip, a “secessionist leader”, as ransom. Haokip was in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after being slapped with UAPA charges for “waging war against India”. The abductors have also demanded that Kukis in Imphal jail be shifted to jails in Kuki-dominated hill area as their safety under Meitei jail staff can’t be assured.
The Union government, sources said, is aiding the rescue effort, with central forces like Assam Rifles and CRPF also reaching out to Kuki civil society groups to secure the release of the duo.
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