Four Held in Manipur Over Suspected Role in Abduction of Six Naga Civilians

Four persons have been arrested in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district for their suspected role in the abduction of six Naga civilians who are still believed to be in captivity, police said on Tuesday, amid continuing ethnic tensions and a fragile security situation in the state.

The arrests were made during a joint operation conducted by the Manipur Police , Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Rifles along the stretch between P Molding and Leilon Vaiphei inter-village road on Monday.

The accused were identified as Thangkhomang Khongsai (51), Seikholet Khongsai (40), Lunminthang Dimngel (27), and Kamgoulal Khongsai (30) . According to police, the four are suspected to be active members of armed village volunteer groups operating in the district.

Investigators believe the men may have been involved in several unlawful activities, including extortion, criminal intimidation, and illegal possession of arms and ammunition . Police said their exact role in the abduction case would be determined during the course of the investigation.

The abductions reportedly took place on May 13 in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, shortly after three church leaders were killed in an ambush, triggering fresh tensions in the hill areas of the state.

Police said that a total of 31 people including 14 Nagas, 16 Kukis and one Meitei have since been rescued or released . However, six Naga civilians are still missing.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur , the apex body of the Kuki tribes in the state, has alleged that 14 members of the Kuki community are also being held hostage by Naga groups .

The latest incident highlights the continuing volatility in Manipur, where ethnic tensions between different communities have led to repeated clashes, abductions, and armed confrontations over the past several months. Security forces have intensified combing operations in sensitive hill districts, even as concerns remain over the presence of armed village militias and the slow restoration of normalcy in the violence-hit state.