Imphal, March 12: The Manipur Legislative Assembly was informed on Thursday that the case related to the abduction and killing of two individuals in Ukhrul district will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency for further investigation.
The statement was made during the ongoing seventh session of the 12th Assembly in Imphal. The development came after two men who had reportedly been abducted earlier were found dead on Thursday, hours after 21 civilians who had been held captive along the Ukhrul–Imphal route were safely released.
Raising the issue during a calling attention motion, K Meghachandra sought clarification from K Govindas regarding the government’s response to the reported gunfight at Thawai village and the abduction of civilians along the Imphal–Ukhrul road.
Responding to the motion, Govindas said a gunfight had reportedly taken place between two armed groups at the Mapithel hill range between 6.30 am and 9 am on Wednesday. The clash allegedly followed the abduction of two Kuki villagers by suspected armed groups.
During the exchange of fire, a civilian identified as Lalminthang Haokip, 40, sustained a minor bullet injury and was later shifted to a health centre in Kangpokpi district for treatment, the minister said.
He further informed the House that, in retaliation, 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community travelling along the Ukhrul-Imphal road were abducted by members of the Kuki community at Shangkai village.
Govindas said that following the incident, Yumnam Khemchand held a meeting with Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan Imphal on Wednesday evening.
The chief minister later issued an appeal for the safe and unconditional release of the civilians and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for any unlawful acts, while urging all communities to refrain from violence.
With efforts from the district administration and civil bodies of the communities involved, the 21 civilians were safely released at around 3 am on Thursday, the minister said.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the two abducted individuals were discovered on Thursday morning in the Mapithel hill range. They were identified as Thengin Baite and Thangboimang Khongsai.
Supplementing the statement, Leader of the House Y Khemchand said that among the 36 ethnic communities living in the state, people should remember that before identifying as Meitei, Naga or Kuki, they are all Manipuris.
He added that the case involving the abduction and killing of the two civilians would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency to ensure a thorough probe and bring those responsible to justice.
