Security officials suspect the detained men to be members of armed village volunteer groups allegedly involved in extortion, intimidation, and illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
BY PC Bureau
May 26, 2026: Joint security forces in Manipur have apprehended four persons belonging to the Kuki-Zo community during an operation linked to the alleged abduction of six Liangmei Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district earlier this month.
The six individuals were allegedly abducted on May 13, following which security agencies launched multiple search and combing operations to trace the missing persons and identify those responsible.
Kuki-Zo civil society organisations, however, have alleged that at least 30 members of their community were abducted by suspected Naga militants during the violence, and that 14 of them continue to remain missing. Despite these allegations, no arrests or probe have so far been announced in connection with the disappearance of the Kuki-Zo civilians.
Following the abduction of six individuals on 13/05/2026 from Leilon Vaiphei in Kangpokpi district, series of operations were launched to trace the individuals and apprehend the accused involved in the incident.
In one such operation launched today i.e. on 25/05/2026, the joint… pic.twitter.com/axbUrESwCY— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) May 25, 2026
The Manipur Police has also not arrested anyone in connection with the killing of three Baptist church leaders on May 13, allegedly by suspected Tangkhul Naga militants — an incident that reportedly escalated tensions and triggered the present hostage crisis.
According to officials, the latest operation was conducted on May 25 by a joint team of the Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Assam Rifles. During the operation, four persons were detained from the area between P. Molding and Leilon Vaiphei inter-village road in Kangpokpi district.
The apprehended individuals were identified as Thangkhomang Khongsai (51) from Patbung village in Kangchup, Seikholet Khongsai (40) from Mongbung Tongneh in New Keithelmanbi, Lunminthang Dimngel (27), and Kamgoulal Khongsai (30).
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Security officials suspect the four individuals to be active members of armed village volunteer groups operating in Kangpokpi district. They are also alleged to have been involved in extortion, criminal intimidation, and illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
Officials said the role of the apprehended individuals in the alleged abduction of the six missing persons would be established during the course of the investigation.
The arrests come amid growing tensions over the disappearance of civilians belonging to different communities in Manipur’s hill districts. Recently, a delegation of the United Naga Council met Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and sought urgent intervention to secure the release of members of their community reported missing since May 13.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister announced that the alleged abduction case involving the six missing individuals would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation.
However, the move has drawn criticism from sections of the Kuki-Zo community — though not officially from their leadership — with many questioning why no similar probe has been ordered into the disappearance of the 14 missing Kuki-Zo civilians amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
Authorities said security operations in the area are continuing and further investigation is underway.
