71 year old man found dead with hands tied
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Kangpokpi, October 04 2026: A 71-year-old missing man from Leimakhong Khunkho village was found dead with both his hands and legs tied with ropes in a nearby jungle of Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district under Leimakhong police station this afternoon.

The deceased has been identified as Hemjang Haokip (71) of Leimakhong Khunkho village.

It was suspected that Hemjang Haokip was murdered after he was abducted from his field by some unknown persons.

Hemjang Haokip was missing since Saturday evening.

A hut built on his paddy field was also burnt down by some unknown persons yesterday, sources said.

71 year old man found dead with hands tied

Police, Central security forces and local people carried out search operations to rescue the missing man and his trousers, shirt and sweater were found during the morning search, triggering an intensified operation to trace him.

At around 2.30 pm, Hemjang Haokip was found dead in a nearby jungle of Leimakhong (S Golai area) with both his hands and legs tied with ropes.

There were no apparent bullet injuries on the body and it was suspected that Hemjang Haokip was beaten to death, said the sources.

While the dead body has been brought out from the jungle, a case has been registered at Leimakhong police station in connection with the incident, said the sources.

Meanwhile, the Khunkho Kuki Village Authority has urged the State Government and security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

Local people have decided not to claim the body in accordance with an earlier decision of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) concerning Kuki-Zo bodies lying unclaimed in morgues.

The body is likely to be kept at a morgue, possibly at the Churachandpur District Hospital, sources said.

The KZC had, during a recent consultation meeting in Kangpokpi, set October 10 as the deadline for the Government of India to address the issue of Kuki-Zo bodies kept unclaimed at the Churachandpur District Hospital morgue and announced plans for a series of agitation if its demands were not addressed.

According to the KZC, eight Kuki-Zo bodies are currently lying unclaimed at the Churachandpur District Hospital morgue.

With the recovery of Hemjang Haokip's body, the number of Kuki-Zo bodies that the community says remain unclaimed has risen to nine.

The KZC has alleged that the unclaimed bodies were of persons killed by armed NSCN-IM cadres and their alleged proxy group ZUF-K .

The Kuki Youth Organisation (KYO), Leimakhong Block has expressed anger and outrage over the brutal killing of 'our man' .

The involvement of NSCN-IM in this incident has further intensified the anger and anguish of the community, the KYO Leimakhong Block alleged in a press release.

"Let there be no misunderstanding, those who choose to target Kuki lives must understand the gravity of what they have done.

The Kuki community should not be intimidated, silenced or forced into submission.

We will stand united, remain vigilant and take every lawful measure", it said.