Joint Operation in Manipur Leads to Arrests in Naga Killings Case

Arrests Made in Connection with Naga Citizens' Murders

Authorities reported that a joint operation led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) resulted in the arrest of a man and his wife in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Friday. The suspects, identified as Pradeep and his wife Ayinghi, are residents of the predominantly Kuki village of Leilon Waifei. According to police, the operation was executed based on reliable intelligence, involving a collaborative effort from the Manipur police, NIA, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

On May 13 of this year, six Naga citizens were killed in Leilon Waifei, as stated in a post by the Manipur police on social media. The police confirmed that necessary searches and seizures were conducted, and other legal formalities were being completed. These arrests occurred amidst widespread protests in Manipur involving the Naga and Meitei communities related to the murders. The bodies of the six Naga citizens were discovered near Leilon Waifei on June 10.

Background of the Naga Citizens' Murders

This case is linked to the abduction of around forty individuals from two different communities, resulting in the deaths of six. During two separate attacks in Kangpokpi district and Noney, twenty Naga individuals were kidnapped. The incidents on May 13 led to the deaths of four people, including three church leaders and one Naga individual. That same evening, Naga groups also abducted twenty-eight members of the Kuki community. Following appeals from various groups and the state government, both sides released fourteen hostages each on May 15. The remaining fourteen Kuki captives were freed by the Naga groups without harm on June 9, weeks later. However, the next day, security forces discovered the mutilated bodies of the six remaining Naga hostages near Leilon Waifei during a search operation.

Calls for Accountability and Investigation

A few days after the bodies were found, Henlianthang Thanglet, chairman of the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), issued an apology for the incident and called for a fair investigation into all acts of violence related to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur. In a press conference, he stated, "I believe that the Kuki-Zo people made a grave mistake by killing the six Naga citizens. This was done in a moment of passion. I strongly condemn this act. I am very sorry and I apologize on behalf of my people." However, the organization later clarified that some parts of Thanglet's statements were misinterpreted, suggesting that the Kuki-Zo community had accepted responsibility.