Ganesh Kendale
Two Meitei youths who had been missing for two days after attending a recruitment test for central security forces at New Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district of Manipur were allegedly abducted by Kuki militants.
CM N Biren Singh posted Sunday on social media that his govt is “focusing on the rescue of the abduction of two innocent youths by Kuki militants”. Their disappearance near Kangpokpi, a Kuki-majority area, has heightened concerns that they may have accidentally crossed into Kuki territory.
CM Singh held a meeting with both governing and opposition MLAs to discuss the situation. “…We condemn such heinous acts and our government is working to secure the safe release of the victims,” he wrote on his ‘X’ handle.
The missing youths, identified as Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Singh, are from Thoubal district.
Official sources said a third youth named Ningombam Johnson Singh, who had been part of the same group, has been rescued and is now safe after being handed over to police by central forces. Efforts are underway to locate the remaining two.
Meitei groups believe that the youths lost their way. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed to demand their release filed a missing report with Thoubal district commissioner Saturday. They explained that the youths had attended a physical test for SSC (GD) recruitment at New Keithelmanbi on Friday and may have taken the wrong path, leading them to Kangpokpi.
Since Friday, all attempts to contact the duo on their mobile phones have failed. A video has since surfaced showing the two youths pleading for help. “As a Meitei, we would appeal to pabung Biren (CM Singh). If you consider us as your sons, please save our lives. We request pabung Biren to please fulfil their demands at the earliest. If you are a true Meitei, please save our lives,” said one of the missing youths in the one-minute video, where the pair could be seen appealing for their release.
