Youth rescued from Kuki custody, two still missing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 28 2024: One out of three youths, who went missing and abducted by Kuki people, was rescued on Saturday while the whereabouts of the other two are still unknown.

The three youths, all from Thoubal district, were on their way to participate in an Army recruitment rally in Keithelmanbi, but lost their way and wandered into Kuki settlement areas.

The rescued youth has been identified as Ningombam Johnson (22) son of Sanjay of Khekman Maning Leikai, and the missing two as Oinam Thoithoi (22) son of Yaima of Leishangthem Awang Leikai and Thokchom Thoithoiba (25) son of Ibotombi of Khekman Wangmataba Maning Leikai, all of Thoubal district.

Police source said that Johnson was supposed to participate in State Selection Commission's (SSC) general duty recruitment rally at Keithelmanbi.

The missing duo accompanied him as he finds it uneasy to go alone considering the current situation of the state and the location of the recruitment rally.

They went on a Royal Enfield motorcycle bearing registration number MN04G 3920.The trio took help of Google Maps and headed towards Keithelmanbi which is located near Kanglatongbi and reached Saparmeina (Gamphigai), from where, they were captured by Kuki volunteers stationed there.

As soon as the information was received, district administration, state police central security forces deployed in the area coordinated and made communication with Kuki leaders in the surrounding areas.

After several hours of negotiation, security forces were able to rescue Johnson post midnight.

Later on Saturday, joint team of Assam Rifles and state police handed him over to his family members.

Johnson suffered physical injuries including a severely swollen face as he was assaulted by his abductors while in their custody.

Unfortunately, security forces were not able to trace the other two youths and negotiations are going on with Kuki leaders to secure their safe release.

Family members also filed missing reports with Thoubal police station on Saturday.

Meanwhile, family members said that after they lost contact with the three, they traced the locations of their phones in Kanglatongbi area.

Since Friday evening, several WhatsApp groups and channels as well as social media users of Kuki community shared information of capturing three Meetei youths from Saparmeina (Gam-phigai) area along with a motorcycle.

A particular usereven wrote on Facebook that three Meeteis have got ST (a term used by Kuki referring to killing Meetei people).

Those posts went viral on social media raising concern among the people.

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