The bodies of two men who went missing while repairing water pipelines were found in Kamjong district; tensions rise in Ukhrul
Imphal: The bodies of two men from the Kuki community who had gone missing in Manipur’s Kamjong district were recovered a day after on Thursday, prompting the state government to hand over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation.
The deceased were identified as Thangboimang Khongsai, 35, a resident of Shangkai village in Ukhrul district, and Thengin Baite, 40, from Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district.
According to officials, the two men had gone to repair water supply pipelines in the hill areas on Wednesday but failed to return home. Their bodies were later found a short distance apart by villagers and security personnel.
Manipur Chief Minister Khemchand Yumnam Singh announced in the state Assembly that the case would be transferred to the NIA for a thorough and impartial probe.
In a post on X, the chief minister said the government had informed the Assembly about the decision to hand over the investigation to the NIA and assured that ex gratia compensation would be provided to the families of the victims.
He added that the government remained committed to ensuring justice, maintaining law and order, and upholding the rule of law in the state.
The discovery of the bodies triggered protests in the region. A police official said a mob attacked police vehicles at Mongkot Chepu in Ukhrul district, damaging one vehicle.
Angry villagers in Shangkai also blocked the Ukhrul–Imphal highway using stones and boulders to protest the killings.
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community, who had been detained by Kuki villagers and armed men on Wednesday while travelling along the Ukhrul–Imphal route, were released early Thursday following negotiations. Police officials said the civilians were taken to Litan police station after their release and later reunited with their families.
Security forces have intensified search and area domination operations as tension remains high in the Tangkhul Naga-majority Ukhrul district, particularly in areas bordering the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district.
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