Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUL 13: Manipur home minister Govindas Konthoujam on Monday said that operations are still underway to apprehend those involved in the killing of six Liangmai Naga hostages in Kangpokpi district and the recent arson of six Meitei houses at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district. Speaking to reporters at the New Secretariat, Imphal, the minister expressed hope that more arrests would be made within the next couple of days.
He stated that security forces are actively pursuing all individuals connected to the abduction and subsequent murder of six Naga hostages. On May 13, eighteen Liangmai Naga members were detained at Leilon, a Kuki village in Kangpokpi district. Six of them were held hostage by Kuki groups, and their mutilated bodies were recovered on June 10. The discovery came two days after Naga groups released 14 Kuki members following negotiations led by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the state government. In protest against the killings, Naga groups have imposed an indefinite economic blockade along national highways and inter-district roads, cutting off essential supplies to Kuki-dominated areas in Kangpokpi.
Under mounting pressure, a joint team of Manipur Police, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) arrested a couple for their alleged involvement in the killings. The arrests followed Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s statement that five suspects were evading capture by hiding in dense forests. Konthoujam confirmed that two culprits have already been arrested and reiterated that more arrests are expected soon.
Addressing another query, the home minister said that operations are also in progress to nab those responsible for the burning of six abandoned Meitei houses at Kanto Sabal. On Saturday, nearly 600 people from Kangpokpi district descended from the hillside and torched the houses near a Meitei locality adjoining an Army cantonment. Security forces detained around 20 villagers in the aftermath, with three confirmed arrests. Konthoujam stressed that the government is treating the incident seriously given its proximity to a high-security Army camp and has directed security forces to remain vigilant to prevent recurrence.
A high-level security meeting chaired by the chief minister on Sunday evening reviewed the recent incidents. The home minister made these remarks while handing over two fully-equipped ambulances to the SPs of Bishnupur and Thoubal districts at the New Secretariat complex. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Heikham Dingo Singh, who inspected the burnt houses, described the arson as “very disheartening” and noted that it occurred in front of one of the largest Army camps in the state. Manipur police earlier confirmed the arrest of two individuals — Kammang Lhouvum, chief of Hengjang village, and Pagin Hangshing of Khunkho village — in connection with the mob disturbance and attempted arson at Kanto Sabal.