On October 3, in an unprecedented event, Eleven undertrial Kuki terrorists were freed from prison in Manipur. Simultaneously, two Meitei teenagers who Kuki groups had kidnapped were freed from custody, marking an unusual development in the unrest-plagued state of Manipur. The detainees were supposed to be released on bond a month ago, but sources say that wasn’t possible since there weren’t enough escort arrangements.
Two Meitei youths, Thokchom Thoithoiba and Oinam Thoithoi, were kidnapped on September 27 in the Kangpokpi district by Kuki terrorists while they were en route to attend a GD interview at an Assam Rifles camp. Instead, they ended up in a Kuki locality, from where the terrorist group abducted them. They were safely freed early this morning in a different but related event. The two, who had been held captive for almost a week, were handed over to the Superintendent of Police on October 3 at around five in the morning. Earlier reports from local media indicated that, in exchange for the release of the kidnapped Meitei youths, Kuki terrorist groups were demanding the release of their commander, Mark T. Haokip, who is currently in the custody of the NIA, as well as the release of fifteen other terrorists from Manipur jail.
In a post on the microblogging platform X, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh verified their release, saying, “The two young men abducted in Kangpokpi have been safely brought back to the custody of Manipur Police.” I want to express my profound gratitude to all the State and Union Government employees who put in endless effort to guarantee their safe return. According to reports from the area, discussions between officials and community leaders may have contributed to their release. Officials have not yet provided information on the boys’ health or the circumstances of their kidnapping, though.
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, the Manipur MP, made a desperate plea to Amit Shah, the Home Minister, earlier on October 2, demanding the two boys’ safe return. This incident is a component of the state’s alarming communal violence upsurge that began in May 2023. The kidnapping happened on September 27, while three young men from Thoubal district were on their way to New Keithelmanbi for an SSC GD recruitment exam. Allegedly, armed Kuki terrorist members abducted them. Assam Rifles saved one young person, but Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Meitei were held captive until their release on October 3.
