Tension gripped the Kangpokpi district of Manipur on Sunday after the bodies of two missing Kuki men were recovered, triggering widespread protests and violent clashes between local demonstrators and security forces. The discovery of the bodies, which occurred days after the men were reported missing, led to a volatile situation at the district hospital and surrounding areas, resulting in at least three injuries among the protesters.
The deceased have been identified by officials as 20-year-old Paoginlal Hangshing and 21-year-old Tinginlun Chongloi. Both individuals had been missing since October 28, when they were allegedly abducted by unidentified miscreants while travelling between Hengbung and Taphou Kuki village. The incident prompted a massive search operation by a joint team comprising the Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), the Assam Rifles, and the Rapid Action Force (RAF).
The situation escalated significantly when the Superintendent of Police for Kangpokpi moved the recovered bodies to the district hospital. A large crowd gathered in protest, subsequently attempting to storm the office of the Superintendent of Police. This direct confrontation resulted in security forces firing tear gas shells and discharging live rounds into the air to disperse the mob. In response, demonstrators utilized slingshots and pelted the security personnel with stones. The injured individuals were subsequently rushed to a local healthcare facility for treatment.
According to official reports, the bodies were located during a targeted search operation covering the area east of National Highway 2, along the Senapati-Phaibung Road. While the authorities have confirmed that the necessary legal formalities are currently underway, they have also stated that search and combing operations will remain active in a bid to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind the abduction and subsequent deaths.
In the aftermath of the discovery, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has taken a firm stance, declaring that the families will not accept the mortal remains of the deceased until a list of five specific demands is met by the government. Ng. Lun Kipgen, a spokesperson for the committee, addressed the media in Kangpokpi to outline the organization's position.
Kipgen revealed that the committee had previously extended a total shutdown across the district for 24 hours in the hope that Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho would facilitate a resolution and secure the safe release of the abducted men. With the failure to secure their release, the committee is now demanding that Dikho be removed from the state cabinet. This political escalation adds another layer of complexity to an already fragile security situation in the region.
As authorities continue their investigation, the atmosphere in Kangpokpi remains tense. The district administration and security forces are maintaining a heightened presence to prevent further outbreaks of violence. The focus remains on identifying those responsible for the abduction, while the community awaits a response from the government regarding the demands raised by the Committee on Tribal Unity.
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