Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Jan 22: Tensions flared anew in Manipur’s Imphal valley on Thursday after police recovered the body of a 38-year-old man, a day after he and his wife were abducted by suspected militants of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in Churachandpur district, officials said.
The deceased has been identified as Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh, a member of the Meitei community. He was married to Chingnu Haokip, who belongs to the Kuki tribal community. Police said that after the marriage, Singh had adopted a tribal name, Ginminthang.
According to officials, the couple was kidnapped on Wednesday and taken towards Natjang village under the jurisdiction of Henglep police station in Churachandpur district. During captivity, Singh was allegedly killed by the extremists, while his wife was later released.
A senior police officer said a disturbing video of the incident has circulated widely on social media. The clip reportedly shows Singh begging for his life with folded hands before being shot at close range by armed assailants.
Police, quoting family members, said Singh had been working in Nepal and had recently returned home on leave. Prior to his visit, his wife had reportedly approached Kuki organisations seeking “permission” for her husband to stay with her for a few days in Churachandpur, the official added.
Singh’s body has been kept at the Churachandpur district morgue. An FIR has been registered, and an investigation is underway. Joint security forces have also launched a large-scale search operation to track down those responsible for the killing.
Since ethnic violence erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023, movement between areas dominated by the two groups has remained extremely limited, effectively dividing the state along ethnic lines.
Meanwhile, the Army, along with the Assam Rifles and other security agencies, has been carrying out an extensive joint counter-insurgency operation in the hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi since last week. Officials said intelligence inputs indicate that UKNA militants, equipped with heavy weapons, are active in the hilly terrain of these districts.
The United Kuki National Army has not entered into a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the government, unlike several other Kuki armed groups that signed such accords with the Centre in 2008. Police sources estimate that the UKNA has around 450 cadres and more than 300 advanced weapons, making it larger than any single armed outfit currently under the SoO framework.
The group is also believed to have established camps both within Manipur and across the international border in Myanmar, officials added.