A joint team comprising the NIA, CRPF, and Manipur Police arrested two more individuals from Manipur’s Kangpokpi district in connection with the abduction and murder of six Naga civilians. This brings the total number of apprehended suspects to four, all allegedly involved in the tragic incident on May 13. The arrested individuals, Lungoulal Vaiphei and Lunminthang Sitlhou alias Jack, are residents of Kangpokpi district.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the case. Earlier in July, two accused were arrested in a joint operation by the NIA, Manipur Police, and CRPF. The bodies of the six Naga civilians were discovered in a forested area on June 11, triggering protests and tensions between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has expressed remorse over the incident and called for a thorough investigation into the violence.
Several Naga organizations have rejected the apology from the KZC, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings. The abduction and killings led to the hostage-taking of around 50 individuals from the Kuki and Naga communities, with efforts leading to the release of most hostages. The investigation into the sensitive incident is ongoing, with the recent arrests expected to provide a breakthrough in the case.
