The Manipur Government has decided to hand over the case related to the death of two persons at Thawai Kuki village under Litan Police Station to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly today while replying to a calling attention motion moved by CLP leader K. Meghachandra Singh regarding the incident. He also announced that ex gratia would be provided to the next of kin of the two deceased persons as per the rules of the state government.
The Chief Minister thanked Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and the Naga MLAs for their role in securing the safe release of 21 Tangkhul Naga villagers who were taken hostage during the incident. He said their timely intervention helped prevent the situation from escalating into a larger crisis.
Earlier, participating in the discussion, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that the incident began when some armed Naga youths allegedly entered Thawai Kuki village and burnt down huts belonging to farmers. During the incident, two Kuki men were reportedly abducted.
Following the news of the abduction, armed Kuki men reportedly intercepted three vehicles carrying 21 Tangkhul Naga villagers at Shangkai along the Imphal–Ukhrul Road and took them hostage.
The Home Minister said central forces led by the Border Security Force (BSF) were deployed to rescue the hostages, but their movement was initially blocked by women protesters on the road. Later in the evening, the Indian Army intervened and cordoned off the area where the villagers were being held.
He also informed the House that reports of firing were received from the Mapithel area between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm on the same day. One Kuki man, identified as Lanminthang Kipgen, sustained a bullet injury on his leg and was later evacuated to a hospital in Kangpokpi.
The Home Minister further said that the Chief Minister informed Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla about the situation, after which the Ministry of Home Affairs stepped in to assist in the rescue operation. After prolonged negotiations, the 21 Tangkhul Naga villagers were released at around 3 am.
Stating that guns cannot bring a solution or peace, the Home Minister stressed that dialogue remains the only way forward and appealed to civil society organisations to work towards unity.
Supplementing the statement, the Chief Minister said people in the state appear to have forgotten the word “Manipuri,” noting that Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis increasingly identify themselves by their respective communities. He emphasized the need for people to remember that they are “Manipuri first.”
