Chief Justice urged to take up missing men case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 01 2026: Traceless since May 13, the families of six Naga men abducted by Kuki groups have written to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur, seeking intervention and cognizance regarding the enforced disappearance of their nearest and dearest.

In a serious allegation, the petition claimed that a police personnel dressed entirely in black was involved in the abduction.

It further claimed that an Army personnel posted at Leimakhong showed the victims a photograph taken by the abductors during their illegal custody.

The petitioners include some women who were abducted and subsequently released.

As the whereabouts of the six Naga men remain unknown and their fate uncertain, the families have urged the Chief Justice to take suo motu cognizance of the matter in the interest of justice and for the protection of the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

They further appealed the Chief Justice to direct a prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the entire incident, including the alleged involvement of police personnel and other armed groups or individuals, and to monitor the investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.

Stating that the matter is extremely urgent, the families sought the immediate intervention of the Court.

They also requested the Judiciary to pass such orders or directions as it may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice.

Notably, all the six missing Naga men are residents of Konsakhul Village in Kangpokpi and their names are Manu Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Phenrongwi Thiu-mai, Chawang Phen-rilung, Kaliwangbou Abonmai, and Kenpibou Chawang.

They were reportedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei Village, located approximately 2 km from Konsa- khul, on May 13, 2026 .

Narrating the sequence of events, the petitioners stated that the six missing men, along with their relatives, were initially stopped by certain residents of Leilon Vaiphei Village.

Later, more villagers of Leilon Vaiphei joined the persons who had stopped them and separated the abductees into two groups viz men and women, they said.

Kenpibou, Phenrongwi Thiumai and Manu Thiumai were first taken away in a Thar jeep while all the women along with Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai and Ch Phenrilung were taken to a community hall, they said.

The family members stated that a total of 18 Naga persons were initially abducted from Leilon Vaiphei Village, of whom 17 are residents of Konsakhul and one is from Juna (Harup) in Kangpokpi.

According to the petition, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai, and Ch Phenrilung were later called out from the community hall, while all the women were taken to a Government school.

The letter further stated that a group of armed persons dressed entirely in black arrived shortly thereafter.

After some time, the victims were blindfolded and taken away in a vehicle.

They claimed that the abducted women estimated that the vehicle had travelled for about 15 to 20 minutes, stating that the victims were subsequently taken out of the vehicle and dragged for some distance.

The memorandum to the Chief Justice stated that the abducted women, while remaining blindfolded, sensed that they had been taken to a jungle area.

The abductors threatened them and instructed them to offer their final prayers, said the prayer and added that the victims felt the heat of a nearby fire.

They added that the abductors provided them with superfine rice, dal, and potato curry, which they ate while still blindfolded.

Thereafter, the victims were allegedly dragged for some distance and made to sleep at a location where the sound of flowing water could be heard.

According to the petitioners, the victims were later awakened, their blindfolds were removed, and the abductors took their photographs using mobile phones.

There was a light rainfall at the time.

The released women claimed that, after their blindfolds were removed the next morning, the women victims were able to see Leimakhong, including the Army Headquarters, from a distance.

They further alleged that the women victims were able to clearly identify one of the armed abductors, who was dressed in black, as a police personnel (Thangginlen, husband of Martina) posted at the Leimakhong Police Outpost and a resident of Leilon Vaiphei Village.

Thereafter, the victims were blindfolded again, made to board a vehicle and driven away, they added.

According to the petition, after their blindfolds were removed, the victims found themselves inside a house located within a Church compound at Molhoi Village.

The petition further stated that a police team arrived at the location at around midnight and took the victims to Leimakhong Police Station, following which they were taken to Leimakhong Army Hospital for medical examination.

The women also claimed that, at the Army Hospital, an Army personnel showed the victims a photograph on a mobile phone, which they identified as having been taken by the abductors in the jungle the previous night.

Stating that the whereabouts of the six Naga residents of Konsakhul remain unknown to date, the petitioners sought the intervention of the High Court.

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