Man assaulted in Kanglatongbi amid tension over abducted Naga civilians by some Kuki CSOs

Tension continued to prevail in conflict-hit areas of Manipur after a man from Kangpokpi district was allegedly assaulted by local youths at Kanglatongbi on suspicion of having links with the recent abduction of Naga civilians.
According to local sources, the man crossed Kanglatongbi Bridge in Imphal West after arriving from Kangpokpi district and was later stopped by villagers and local youths who have been demanding the safe release of six Naga civilians abducted on May 13 following a deadly ambush in Kangpokpi district that claimed the lives of three Thadou Church leaders.
Sources said youths from nearby Naga-inhabited areas have been guarding their localities amid fears of further violence. During the questioning, the man, identified as Ramesh Bandhari, was allegedly found carrying documents, including an Aadhaar card, indicating that he had changed his name to Thangtinlen Doungel after marrying a woman from the Kuki-Zo community.
The discovery reportedly triggered suspicion among some locals, who alleged that he was acting as an informer for Kuki armed groups and monitoring movements in Naga areas. He was also allegedly linked by some villagers to the abduction of the six Naga civilians.
Following the allegations, some youths reportedly assaulted him before the situation was brought under control.
Since the May 13 incident, movement between Naga and Kuki-inhabited areas has remained severely restricted, with growing tension and mistrust between the two communities amid continued uncertainty over the fate of the abducted persons.