In a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the abduction and murder of six Naga civilians in Manipur, a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has arrested two more accused.
The arrested persons have been identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei, a resident of Leilon Vaiphei village in Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district, and Lunminthang Sitlhou alias Jack, from Molhoi village in the same area. Officials said efforts are continuing to trace and apprehend other suspects linked to the case.
The six civilians were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their bodies were recovered on June 10 near a Kuki-Zo village, a day after 14 Kuki individuals, who had earlier been abducted by armed groups in Senapati district, were released.
The killings triggered widespread outrage across Manipur, with Naga and Meitei organisations demanding swift action against those responsible. Naga groups also enforced an economic blockade on roads leading to Kangpokpi district, resulting in shortages of essential commodities and a sharp rise in prices in the Kuki-Zo-majority region.
Earlier this month, security forces had arrested two other suspects, identified as Ayingbi and Pradip, during a separate joint operation in Kangpokpi district. Police alleged that both were involved in the killings.
The incident also sparked controversy after Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlienthang Thanglet described the killings as a “grave mistake” and called for an impartial investigation into all incidents related to the ongoing ethnic violence. The KZC later clarified that his remarks were made from a humanitarian perspective and should not be interpreted as an admission of responsibility by the Kuki-Zo community.
Naga organisations, however, maintained their demand for justice and called for the arrest of all those involved in the crime.
