"CM confirmed hostage exchange demand"
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 29 2024: Chief minister N Biren has confirmed that Kuki militant groups have demanded the exchange of two Meetei civilians they are holding hostage for Mark Thamang Haokip, who is currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

This revelation was made by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president MLA K Meghachandra after a joint meeting of ruling and opposition MLAs, convened by the chief minister on Sunday.

Speaking to the media, Meghachandra disclosed that the meeting, held at the CM's secretariat, was attended by key political figures, including Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi, ministers Th Biswajit, K Govindas, Awangbow Newmai, Khashim Vashum, Th Basanta Kumar, and some ruling MLAs.

The focus of the meeting was the present hostage crisis involving two Meetei youths, Oinam Thoithoi and Thokchom Thoithoiba, who were abducted by Kuki militants while on their way to attend an Army recruitment rally.

Meghachandra stated that opposition members, along with the ruling MLAs, unanimously urged the Central and state governments to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the two hostages.

Referring to the viral video in which the two hostages were seen pleading CM Biren to meet the militants' de mands and save their lives, Meghachandra shared that the CM confirmed the militants' proposal.

According to the CM, the Kuki militants had proposed exchanging the hostages for Mark Thamang Haokip, a key figure now under NIA custody.

However, Biren made it clear that such illegal demands could not be met by the state's legislators and suggested putting pressure on the Centre to resolve the crisis instead.

The CM assured the attending MLAs that he is in constant communication with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and that both state police and central security forces are actively engaged in rescue operations.

He also informed them that the two youths are still alive in captivity, which provided some hope for their eventual rescue.

Meghachandra emphasised that the hope for the safe release of the two hostages now rests primarily with the Central government.

He appealed to the captors to release the two youths on humanitarian grounds, reiterating that violence and abductions will not help resolve the ongoing conflict.

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