IMPHAL, Oct 4: The recovery of clothes belonging to a 71-year-old Kuki man allegedly abducted from his farm in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has intensified the search for him, with security forces deploying sniffer dogs on Sunday.
Hemjang Haokip, a resident of Khunkho Kuki village near the Leimakhong Army Headquarters, was allegedly taken from his farm hut on October 3 by armed militants suspected by the village authority to be members of the NSCN-IM.
The Khunkho Kuki Village Authority said the armed men took Haokip away and later razed the farm hut. During a search operation on Sunday, security personnel recovered his farm trousers, shirt and sweater. Sniffer dogs were subsequently deployed to help trace him.
Haokip’s whereabouts remained unknown, raising concerns over his safety. The village authority condemned the alleged abduction as a targeted attack on a senior citizen and a violation of human rights.
It urged the Manipur government and law enforcement agencies to intervene and secure Haokip’s safe return, besides demanding strict action against those responsible.
The village authority has issued a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding Haokip’s safe and unconditional release by October 4. It warned that failure to secure his release would prompt the community to launch widespread democratic protests seeking justice and greater security for residents.
Security agencies continued efforts to trace the elderly man following the recovery of his clothes.
