2 hostages set free, 11 Kuki prisoners released
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Kpi, October 03 2024: As many as 11 under trial Kuki prisoners have been released from Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa in the wee hours today.

With the release of the Kuki prisoners, the two Meitei youths held hostage by Kukis were also set free this morning.

Although there is no official statement on whether the release of the Kuki prisoners and the Meitei hostages were corresponding moves or independent acts, there were reports that the Kukis who were holding the Meitei youths as hostages demanded transfer of the Kuki prisoners from Imphal to Churachandpur.

Thokchom Thoithoiba and Oinam Thoithoi who were held captive by Kukis since September 27 were released early this morning and handed over to the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi, at around 5 am.

2 hostages set free, 11 Kuki prisoners released

According to sources, Kuki militants handed over their hostages to members of Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) at Gamgiphai area who then turned over the hostages to the SP, Kangpokpi.

The two hostages were set free following an agreement between police and CoTU in presence of Assam Rifles and other Central security forces.

Later, the two youths were escorted by Kangpokpi district police and Assam Rifles personnel up to Imphal West district police headquarters and handed over to the SP, Imphal West this morning.

Later in the evening, the two youths were taken to Thoubal Police to hand them over to their respective families, said the sources.

The two youths along with one Ningombam Johnson went missing after they entered a Kuki dominated area along Imphal-Dimapur highway on September 27 afternoon.

On the next day, Ningombam Johnson was rescued by the Indian Army but Thokchom Thoithoiba and Oinam Thoithoi were held hostage by Kuki militants until they were set free today.

From the moment the trio was taken into custody on September 27, CoTU stepped in to negotiate their release.

Although they successfully facilitated the release of one youth on the same day, the detention of the other two proved far more challenging due to heightened concerns over community security and recent violent incidents.

Over several days, starting on September 29, CoTU held numerous rounds of talks with the Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) .

Despite these ongoing efforts, an agreement could not be reached immediately as the Kuki-Zo village volunteers insisted on significant concessions.

Their demands stemmed from the vulnerability of their communities, particularly in areas like Phailengmol, and concerns over Kuki-Zo inmates held in Sajiwa Jail.

Faced with an impasse, CoTU turned to the Central Government for support.

It was only after the Centre's intervention that progress was made.

On October 2, during a pivotal meeting, the DGP, representing the Centre, agreed to key demands from the Kuki-Zo village volunteers.

These included relocating Kuki-Zo inmates from Sajiwa Jail to safer areas under Kuki-Zo control and establishing a police station at Phailengmol, a region on the frontlines of the conflict.

Of the 11 under trial prisoners released today and handed over to the Gamnom Sapermeina Police Station, two were arrested in connection with murder cases registered at Gamnom Sapermeina police station and Singngat police station respectively.

Nehkhohao (31) s/o (L) Laitinkhum of Vaipakot was arrested by police on December 2021 in connection with the murder case of one M Pumzalian Ngaihte of Khominthang at Khuga lake and the accused was in judicial custody from December 27, 2021 .

Holkhomang Haokip (35) s/o (L) Thangkhogam Haokip of G Gelbung was arrested by a team of Gamnom Sapermeina police station on December 3, 2022 in connection with the murder of his own wife and a minor daughter at their residence and the accused was in judicial custody from December 7, 2022 .

The accused was a Constable of Manipur Police at the time of the incident.

Three of them were arrested on different charges including attempts to murder by Lamphel police station in October 2022, Churachandpur police station in January 2022 and New Keithelmanbi police station in August 2023 .

According to sources, all of them were granted bail by the Court concerned sometime back but due to the present situation they were not released from the jail for security reasons.