Two Meitei Youths Abducted in Manipur's Kangpokpi Released, Handed Over to Police

Imphal: Two Meitei youths who were held hostage by armed men in Manipur 's Kangpokpi district were released and handed over to police on Thursday morning, seven days after they were abducted.

The two - Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Th Thoithoiba Singh - were escorted back to Imphal, a police officer said.

"The youths were handed over to Kangpokpi Superintendent of police at Gamgiphai naka and and left for Imphal," the police said.

As per reports, 11 Kukis were released in return for the two youths who were held hostage. On September 27, the duo had accompanied another youth, N Johnson Singh who was appearing for SSC GD recruitment test at New Keithelmanbi. However, they lost their way in Kangpokpi district. While Johnson was rescued by the army and handed over to the police, the two youths remained in the captivity of armed men.

The state government with the assistance of the Centre carried out negotiations to secure the release of the two youths.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a post on social media said, "The two young men abducted in Kangpokpi on September 27 have been safely brought back to the custody of Manipur Police."

Singh said, “I sincerely appreciate everyone from both the state and central government who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. Your efforts are deeply valued.”

Earlier on October 2, Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealing for the "safe release of two abducted Meitei youths" in Manipur . In his letter to Shah, MP Akoijam highlighted the ongoing violence in the state and claimed that a "disturbing youth hostage situation has emerged" in Manipur .

"I urgently bring to your attention the escalating communal violence in Manipur , ongoing since May 3, 2023, where hundreds of people from both the Meitei and Kuki communities have been killed, including while in the custody of the armed groups, with many still missing. In this environment of unrest, a disturbing youth hostage situation has emerged for the first time in the crisis in Manipur ," MP Akoijam stated.

The letter further claimed that three youths went missing on September 27 and alleged that they were abducted by "suspected armed members of the Kuki community."

"On September 27, 2024, three youths from Thoubal district-Ningombam Johnson Singh, Oinam Thoithoi Singh, and Thokchom Thoithoiba Meitei-went missing while travelling to New Keithelmanbi, but strayed to Keithelmanbi in Kangpokpi district for an SSC GD recruitment test. They were abducted by suspected armed members of the Kuki community. While one youth, Ningombam Johnson Singh, was 'rescued' by the Assam Rifles, the other two, Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Meitei, still remain in the custody of the suspected Kuki abductors. How did the Assam Rifles rescue only one out of the three youths who were travelling in the same vehicle still remains a mystery," the letter mentioned.

"For the release of Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Meitei, the Kuki abductors are reportedly demanding the release of Mark T Haokip, who is under judicial custody in an NIA court case, and also the transfer of prisoners belonging to the Kuki community out of jail in Imphal. Such hostage-taking is a familiar global challenge, and we in this country also have had similar experiences earlier, albeit this is the first case in the ongoing crisis in Manipur ," the letter read.

"It should go without saying that putting up demands in exchange for the hostages is an act of terrorism, and we as a country must not succumb to such terror tactics. I earnestly urge you to use all the resources under your good office to ensure the safe release of Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Meitei. Their families are in deep distress, and their safety must be prioritised without delay," the Congress MP added.

Violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.