Two men who were reportedly abducted earlier were found dead in a forested area near Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district of Manipur on Thursday morning, March 12, heightening tensions in the sensitive hill region.
The deceased have been identified as Thengin Baite (40), son of late Sempao Baite of Thawai Kuki village, and Thangboimang Khongsai (35), son of late Kaipao Khongsai of Shangkai village.
According to local sources, the two men were allegedly abducted on Wednesday by suspected members of an armed group. Search teams later combed nearby forest areas and discovered the bodies on Thursday morning.
Their deaths have triggered fresh concerns in parts of Kamjong and neighbouring districts, which have remained sensitive in recent months.
Meanwhile, the Shangkai Village Authority alleged that the incident followed a series of developments reported in the area on March 11. According to the village body, two villagers who had gone out to repair a water pipeline were allegedly abducted the same day.
Expressing deep concern over the situation, the village authority appealed to the Government of Manipur and relevant authorities to intervene, ensure the safety of residents, and take measures to prevent further escalation. Officials have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
In a separate development, twenty civilians who were reportedly taken hostage by an armed group in Shangkai village in Ukhrul district were released safely early Thursday morning after several hours of tension.
Sources said the captive passengers from Ukhrul were rescued and handed over to Tangkhul civil society organisations at the Litan Police Station at around 4 am. After their release, they began their journey back to Ukhrul.
The incident had sparked concern across parts of Ukhrul district after around 20 civilians were reportedly abducted by an armed group on Wednesday.
Following the incident, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), a prominent Naga civil society organisation, issued a two-hour ultimatum to the state and central governments demanding the immediate rescue of the civilians.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also appealed for the safe release of the captives on humanitarian grounds.
Sources confirmed that the civilians were released early Thursday morning, bringing relief to their families and easing tensions in the district.
