IMPHAL: Four suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the abduction and subsequent killing of six civilians in Manipur’s Leilon Vaiphei area, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam informed the State Assembly on Thursday.
Konthoujam said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was investigating the case and probing the involvement of other suspected persons. He was responding to a question raised by Congress MLA K Ranjit Singh during Question Hour of the ongoing eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The MLA sought an update on the investigation into the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians, alleging that the victims were brutally killed and their bodies dismembered. He also said the bodies had remained at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences for more than three months and sought details of steps being taken to ensure justice.
Konthoujam said the NIA initially arrested two suspects and subsequently arrested two more based on information obtained during the investigation. The four arrested persons also named four others allegedly suspected to be involved, and the NIA was probing these leads.
On allegations involving a Manipur Police constable, the Home Minister said the investigation had established that the constable was not involved and was on official duty on the day of the incident. He also said the NIA had not shared any information confirming the alleged involvement of leaders of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P).
According to details presented in the Assembly, around 18 people, mainly Liangmai Naga civilians, were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13 while returning from a wedding. Twelve were released the following day, while six were subsequently found dead.
The case remains under NIA investigation.
