A major update regarding the tragic abduction and murder of six Naga civilians in Manipur was presented before the state Legislative Assembly. Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam announced that law enforcement authorities have apprehended four individuals linked to the crime. Presenting the details during the Assembly session, the Home Minister explained that investigative agencies continue to pursue additional suspects believed to have orchestrated or participated in the lethal attack.
Details of the Abduction and Lethal Attack
The horrific incident occurred on May 13 when a group of approximately 18 individuals, predominantly Liangmai Naga civilians, was intercepted in Leilon Vaiphei village while heading home after attending a wedding celebration. The armed captors held the entire group hostage overnight. On the subsequent day, 12 of the abducted victims were set free, but the remaining six individuals were held back and ultimately murdered. Their bodies were later discovered in the area, marking one of the most violent acts during the ongoing regional unrest.
NIA Investigation and Arrest Progress
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took charge of probing the fatal killings to identify the network behind the ambush. According to the Home Minister's report to the Assembly, the federal agency initially took two suspects into custody. As interrogation and technical analysis progressed, investigators secured critical information that led to the subsequent arrest of two more suspects, bringing the current total of arrested individuals to four. During questioning, these four detainees disclosed the identities of four additional accomplices. The NIA has formally identified these four fleeing suspects and is actively conducting operations to locate and apprehend them.
Assembly Debates and Allegations
The detailed disclosure came during Question Hour in the ongoing eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly following queries submitted by Congress MLA K Ranjit Singh. Highlighting the gravity of the assault, the opposition lawmaker described the murders as among the most brutal chapters in the state's recent turmoil, noting that the victims suffered severe physical atrocities before their deaths. MLA Singh raised serious concerns regarding the long delay in handing over the victims' bodies to their grieving families, pointing out that the remains have been kept at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for more than three months while relatives eagerly await justice.
Official Response to Suspect Connections
During the legislative proceedings, Congress MLA K Ranjit Singh also questioned potential links involving a leader from the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P) and a serving local police constable, referencing testimonies provided by the surviving civilians who had been released. Responding to these specific concerns, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam clarified that thorough verification of official duty logs completely cleared the police constable of any involvement, establishing that he was actively performing official duties elsewhere during the incident. Furthermore, the Home Minister stated that the NIA's investigation to date has not found any concrete evidence establishing a link between the KNF-P leadership and the fatal attack on the civilians.
