Protests erupted in Kangpokpi after the bodies of two abducted Kuki-Zo youths were recovered. Police fired tear gas as demonstrators blocked NH-2 and CoTU refused to claim the bodies pending action on its five demands.
BY PC Bureau
November 1: Anger over the killing of two Kuki-Zo youths spilled onto the streets of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Sunday, November 1, with protesters blocking National Highway-2 and security forces firing tear gas shells to disperse demonstrators. The unrest followed the recovery of the bodies of Paoginlal Hangshing and Tinginlun Chongloi, who had allegedly been abducted at gunpoint on October 28.
The bodies of the two Kuki-Zo youths, both around 20 years old and residents of Taphou Kuki village, were recovered during a joint search operation involving Manipur Police, CoBRA, CRPF, Assam Rifles and the Rapid Action Force (RAF). They were allegedly abducted around 5.30 pm on October 28 from near Marenmei village, close to their homes.
The bodies of the two Kuki-Zo youths were found on Sunday morning east of National Highway-2, along the SP Road connecting Senapati and Phaibung.
The recovery triggered protests as the district Superintendent of Police brought the bodies to Kangpokpi District Hospital. With demonstrators gathering and tensions rising, the bodies were subsequently shifted to the SP’s office. Security personnel fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, while protesters blocked NH-2, disrupting traffic.
Markets, shops, businesses and private institutions across Kangpokpi remained shut in response to a total shutdown called by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU).
READ: Three Arunachal Districts to Shut Down Over SUMP Arrests
CoTU refuses to claim bodies, places five demands
🚨 MANIPUR: Bodies of two missing Kuki youths recovered, sparking protests. CoTU demands an NIA probe, immediate arrests and withdrawal of all NSCN-IM camps from Senapati district.
#Manipur #Kuki #NSCNIM https://t.co/expLUfKRJd
— Quick updates (@unseen_updates) November 1, 2026
CoTU announced that it would not claim the bodies until the state government addressed its five-point charter of demands. The demands include the immediate removal of Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, whom the committee has accused of failing to secure the safe release of the two youths; transfer of Taphou Kuki village from Senapati police jurisdiction to Kangpokpi; removal of the NSCN-IM’s Huthrong Brigade from its Oklong Camp in Senapati district; transfer of the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA); and arrest of those responsible for the abduction and killings.
CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the committee had extended the shutdown in good faith, expecting Dikho to intervene with people in Senapati district to secure the youths’ release.
“Unfortunately, their dead bodies were recovered this morning,” he said.
The committee has also accused the state government of discriminatory treatment of the Kuki-Zo community and demanded equal treatment and justice.
Fresh violence adds to Manipur’s tensions
The recovery of the two bodies came a day after three other Kuki-Zo men were killed in a gunfight in Noney district, taking the death toll in the two separate incidents to five within roughly 24 hours.
The latest developments have further heightened tensions across the hill districts, with community organisations demanding accountability for the killings and action against those responsible.
