Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUL 10: In a major breakthrough, a joint team of Manipur police, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) arrested a couple for their alleged involvement in the killing of six Naga hostages in Kangpokpi district.
In posts on its official social media handles, Manipur Police on Friday said the accused were identified as Pradip (40), son of Tomba of Leilon Vaiphei village, and Ayingbi alias Mangaih, daughter of Nimkhinsau.
Police said the joint team arrested the two during a targeted operation at Leilon (Vaiphei) village in Kangpokpi district based on credible inputs.
“On the basis of credible inputs from own sources, a joint team of Manipur Police, NIA and CRPF launched a precise operation to apprehend two accused who were allegedly involved in killing of six Naga individuals on May 13, 2026 in Leilon Vaiphei village,” the police stated.
The operation was conducted in the early hours of Friday, and police said necessary legal formalities were being completed.
In its initial post, police identified the woman as Ayingbi, wife of Pradip. However, hours later, after the post drew criticism online, police issued a clarification identifying her as “Ayingbi alias Mangaih, daughter of Nimkhinsau.”
Police added that both accused had been identified by witnesses present at the time of the abduction and said efforts were underway to arrest other accomplices involved in the crime.
The discrepancy between the two posts prompted questions online regarding the handling of the case.
The arrests came two days after Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said five persons involved in the killing of the six hostages were evading arrest by hiding in thick forests.
During his visit to Senapati and Kangpokpi on Wednesday, Singh met protesters enforcing an economic blockade along NH-102 at Namdilong under Sekmai Police Station, demanding justice for the six slain Nagas.
He informed the protesters that the case was being investigated by the NIA and that security forces were making efforts to apprehend the accused. He also appealed for lifting the blockade, citing the hardships faced by the public, while assuring that justice would be delivered.
The six victims were among 18 Liangmai Naga members allegedly abducted by villagers of Leilon village shortly after three church leaders were killed in an ambush by armed miscreants in the same district on May 13.
The mutilated and dismembered bodies of six hostages were recovered near Leilon village on June 10, triggering protests by Naga and Meitei communities demanding the arrest of those responsible.