Northeast Desk, 3rd October: Thokchom Thoithoiba and Oinam Thoithoi, two youths abducted by Kuki militants on September 27, were released early this morning. The duo was handed over to the Superintendent of Police in Kangpokpi around 5 AM. The youths had been missing for nearly a week, with their release following negotiations involving community leaders and authorities. Details about their health and the circumstances of their abduction are yet to be disclosed by officials.
The abduction occurred when three young men from Thoubal district were traveling to New Keithelmanbi for an SSC GD recruitment test. They were reportedly taken by suspected armed members of the Kuki community. While one of the youths was rescued by Assam Rifles, Thoithoiba and Thoithoi remained in captivity until today.
Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam had appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah on October 2 for their safe release, calling for urgent action amid the ongoing escalation in communal violence in the state since May 2023. The MP also raised questions about how Assam Rifles managed to rescue only one of the three youths traveling in the same vehicle, describing it as a mystery that required further explanation.
Akoijam revealed that the abductors had demanded the release of Mark T Haokip, currently in judicial custody in an NIA court case, and the transfer of Kuki prisoners out of Imphal jails. Strongly condemning these demands, Akoijam stated, “Such hostage-taking is a familiar global challenge… It should go without saying that putting up demands in exchange for the hostages is an act of terrorism, and we as a country must not succumb to such terror tactics.”