India

Manipur Police Suspend Kuki Constable Linked to Abduction and Killing of Six Naga Men

By Prawesh Lama

Manipur police have suspended a serving Kuki police constable and ordered a departmental inquiry into his alleged involvement in the abduction of six Naga men who were later found murdered, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to HT. HT reviewed the suspension order, dated September 8, issued by the Superintendent of Police of Bishnupur district. According to an official who requested anonymity, the constable had been serving with Bishnupur police in the valley but was transferred to the hill district of Kangpokpi due to the ongoing ethnic conflict. He has now been suspended, and a departmental enquiry has been initiated. HT had first reported on July 6 that police were investigating the constable's alleged role in the case. The suspension comes as tensions rise between Naga and Kuki political leaders in Manipur. Naga legislators, including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, have called for accountability in the case and accused fellow Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, who is Kuki, of involvement in the violence. In protest, Naga MLAs have refused to share assembly space with Kipgen and have stayed away from legislative sessions. The families of the six Naga victims have also declined to bury the mutilated remains of their relatives. The six men were abducted along with their families by Kuki militant groups on May 13, during a period of intense Naga-Kuki clashes in Manipur. The violence erupted after three Kuki church leaders were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi, allegedly carried out by Naga groups, sparking further unrest. In the aftermath, armed groups from both communities carried out retaliatory abductions targeting members of the opposing community. On May 15, women and children from both sides were released following a hostage exchange brokered by church leaders and government officials. However, 14 Kuki-Zo men and six Naga men remained in captivity at that time. The 14 Kuki-Zo men were subsequently freed by Naga groups after intervention from church leaders, security forces, the army, and the Intelligence Bureau. The six Naga men, however, were never released. Kuki-Zo groups denied holding them hostage, but their mutilated bodies were later discovered in forests in Kangpokpi district on June 10. The National Investigation Agency is currently investigating the case.