Two more arrested in Manipur Naga killings case

Guwahati: A joint team of the NIA, Manipur Police and the CRPF on Saturday arrested two more accused in connection with the abduction and killing of six Liangmai Naga civilians in Kangpokpi district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to four. The accused, identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei and Lunminthang Sitlhou alias Jack, are residents of Leilon Vaiphei and Molhoi villages, respectively. Police said efforts are continuing to trace and arrest the remaining suspects.

The two arrests come after the earlier detention of Pradip and his wife, Ayingbi, both residents of Leilon Vaiphei village. The bodies of the six Naga civilians were recovered from a forested area in Kangpokpi district on June 11, nearly a month after they were allegedly abducted on May 13. The killings triggered widespread protests, counter-economic blockades and fresh tensions between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities across parts of Manipur.

At least 50 people from the Kuki and Naga communities were taken hostage by different armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following the violent incidents of May 13, during which three church leaders were killed and four others injured in Kangpokpi district.


Following sustained efforts by the authorities, community leaders and various civil society organisations, around 30 individuals from both communities were released on May 14 and May 15.