Manipur hostage: Two abducted Meitei youths released in exchange of transfer of 11 Kuki prisoners

Guwahati:  Two Meitei youths, who were abducted allegedly by Kuki insurgents on September 27, were released on Thursday morning reportedly in exchange of transfer of 11 Kuki prisoners. 

Sources said the 11 Kuki men, who were earlier arrested by Manipur Police and were put in Imphal jail, were transferred to Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district as demanded by the abductors. Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, a forum of Kuki organisations in Churachandpur, confirmed the development. 

But Police said the 11 Kukis, who were arrested in connection with several cases, had already got bails but could not be shifted to Churachandpur due to the ongoing conflict with the Kukis. 

The hostage

Three Meitei youths were abducted when they had gone to appear for an interview in Meitei-dominated Imphal West district but inadvertently moved into Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi distrct. One of them was released on the same day but the two, Thockchom Thoithoiba and Oinam Thoithoi, remained traceless. 

Manipur CM N. Biren Singh claimed that the two were abducted by Kuki insurgents and asked DGP Rajiv Singh to visit Kangpokpi to secure their release. This triggered protests and blockade in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley districts. 

Sources said the Kuki groups demanded transfer of the 11 Kuki prisoners in lieu of release of the two. Both were handed over to Manipur police at around 5am on Thursday, sources said. 

Confirming the release of the two on Thursday morning, Biren Singh posted on X, "the two young men abducted in Kangpokpi on 27th September, 2024 have been safely brought back to the custody of @manipur_police. I sincerely appreciate everyone from both the state and central government who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. Your efforts are deeply valued." The CM, however, did not say anything about reports of transfer of 11 Kuki prisoners to Churachandpur.