It has been four days since two teenage boys went missing under suspicious circumstances from Akham Awang Leikai in Manipur’s Imphal West District. The incident has triggered a wave of violence across the state, culminating in firings and casualties.
As reported in this paper earlier, the unrest escalated on November 7, with reports of gunfire in various districts along the hill-valley border regions. Tragically, one fatality was reported in the Kangchup area of Imphal West District. Today, on November 9, tensions flared again as armed Kuki militants reportedly clashed with combined security forces in Koutruk Chingthak, located in Imphal West District adjacent to Kangpokpi District.
The combined forces, comprising Imphal West Commandos, CRPF, IRB, and Manipur Rifles, engaged in retaliatory actions throughout the day. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported as of the latest update.
Earlier on Tuesday, Manipur police released a statement stating that the Manipur Police and Security Forces have apprehended two cadres of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (Unification), a militant outfit under Suspension of Operations. Hoewever, despite the arrest of two suspects, the whereabouts of the missing boys remain unknown.
Earlier, a press note from the Kuki Revolutionary Army (U) dated November 6 vehemently denied any involvement in the disappearance, refuting labelling of accusations against the group as intentional and false attempts to malign their image.
Meanwhile, a Joint Action Committee formed to address the issue of the missing teenage boys has declared a state-wide bandh scheduled from 4 AM to 1 PM on November 10, according to Ukhrul Times. The committee also announced plans to initiate protests across various localities in the valley areas starting tomorrow.