A couple has been arrested by a joint investigation of the Manipur Police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for alleged involvement in the killing of six Naga civilians amid the current ethnic clout in the State.
The Manipur Police said the operation had been initiated on the basis of credible information and led to the arrest of Pradip and Ayingbi, who were allegedly involved in the mayhem that took place at the village of Leilon Vaiphei of the Kukis in the state on May 13. Measures of search and seizure were also taken and all legal formalities were adhered.
Six of these were part of 20 Nagas abducted after twin ambushes in Kangpokpi and Noney districts killed four, including three church leaders. As a retaliatory action, Nagas kidnapped 28 Kuki people. A number of abductees from either side was freed in subsequent weeks, but where the mutilated bodies of six Nagas were found later, there was widespread outrage.
Tensions between the Naga and Kuki community further escalated – bringing about blockades on the highways and avid calls for justice issued by the Naga groups.
Since May 2023, ethnic minority communities in Manipur such as Meitei and Kuki-Zo people have continued to suffer impacts of ethnic violence which spread to other groups. The conflict has killed more than 260 people and forced the evacuation of nearly 60,000.
The state was placed under President’s Rule before the formation of a new government, comprised of members of the Meitei, Naga and Kuki communities, to bring peace and ethnic balance earlier this year.