Nearly 24 hours after armed militants allegedly abducted 21 civilians from Manipur, including members of the Liangmei and Nepali communities, the state government and security agencies have failed to secure their rescue, raising serious questions over the effectiveness of the massive security deployment in violence-hit hill districts of Manipur.
Despite the presence of the Indian Army, central paramilitary forces and the Manipur Police, the abducted civilians remained untraced till Thursday evening, exposing what many see as the continued collapse of law and order in the conflict-ridden state.
The abductions are suspected to be retaliatory acts following the deadly ambush near Kotjim Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, where three Christian leaders were killed and five others injured by unidentified gunmen.
Adding to the worsening crisis, another 23 individuals from Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district also remained detained by unknown groups. The inability of the state machinery to secure their release has further intensified public anger and fear across the hill districts.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Thursday admitted that more than 38 people from both Naga and Kuki communities were currently being held hostage by different groups across the state.
“In total, more than 38 people from both communities were detained by different groups. We are actively holding discussions with civil society organisations and political leaders to secure their release,” the Home Minister told reporters.
The statement came amid mounting criticism over the government’s apparent inability to prevent retaliatory violence despite heightened security deployment across sensitive areas.
Govindas Konthoujam also visited the family of a civilian killed at Jouzangtek in Noney district after unidentified gunmen opened fire. The victim’s wife sustained injuries in the attack, officials said.
Later, the Home Minister visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal East, where the body of the deceased was kept for post-mortem examination. Three Naga MLAs accompanied him during the visit.
“We have apprised the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and efforts are underway to secure their release. We are suspicious that some people do not want peace to return to Manipur,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the prolonged detention of civilians and continued targeted attacks have further deepened mistrust between communities already devastated by nearly three years of ethnic violence.
On Wednesday evening, Taphou Kuki village chairman L. Chongloi lodged a complaint at Senapati Police Station alleging that 23 villagers travelling in seven trucks and one car were detained by unidentified persons while passing through the area.
Security agencies have yet to officially confirm the whereabouts of those detained, though officials claimed that negotiations and investigations were continuing.
The deteriorating situation also triggered separate shutdowns called by Kuki-Zo and Naga organisations across Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Chandel districts on Thursday. Markets remained shut, public transport stayed off the roads and educational institutions reported thin attendance in several areas.
The protests were organised against the killing of the three church leaders in Kangpokpi and the civilian in Noney district.