Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh told the United Naga Council that the abduction case of six missing Naga villagers will be handed to the NIA. The move comes amid competing hostage claims and renewed tension in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
Naga villagers by armed militants to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said on Saturday amid continuing tensions in the hill districts of the state.
The announcement came after a six-member delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC), led by its president NG Lorho, met the chief minister and senior cabinet ministers at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur.
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and several Naga MLAs were also present during the meeting.
According to an official statement, the UNC delegation urged the government to intensify efforts to trace the six abducted Naga villagers from Konsakhul village in Kangpokpi district, who have remained missing since May 13.
“The Chief Minister informed the UNC delegation that the case of the six abducted Nagas will be handed over to the NIA,” the statement said.
The chief minister also noted that the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district earlier this month had already been transferred to the central agency for investigation.
Singh said search and rescue operations have been underway since May 14 to locate the missing villagers. He appealed to the UNC to assist in securing the release of 14 Kuki civilians who, according to the government, have been held captive since the violence erupted.
He also appealed to Kuki community organisations to cooperate in tracing the missing Naga villagers and urged all communities to support efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the conflict-hit state.
The latest development follows a series of violent incidents in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on May 13, during which more than 38 people were reportedly abducted and held hostage by armed groups hours after three church leaders were killed in an ambush.
Officials said 31 of those abducted have since been released, including 12 Naga women and 16 members of the Kuki community. However, six Naga men remain untraced.
