2 young men missing from Manipur’s Kangpokpi:Naga community accused of abduction; tribal organisation announces 48-hour shutdown

Two youths have gone missing in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, following which the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), an organisation representing the Kuki community, announced a 48-hour shutdown from 5pm on Thursday. Officials confirmed the development. The missing youths have been identified as 21-year-old Thangginlun Chongloi and 20-year-old Paoginlal Hangsing. Both went missing on Wednesday evening near Tafu Kuki village. COTU alleged that members of the Naga community had abducted the two youths. Condemning the incident, the organisation demanded their safe release. An official said the youths had not yet been traced and that an investigation was under way. Organisation demands release of youths COTU has demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of both youths. It has also appealed to the government to take urgent steps to rescue them. Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities broke out in Manipur on 3 May 2023. The violence caused widespread loss of life and property and forced thousands of people to leave their homes. According to a September 2026 assessment by Human Rights Watch, more than 260 people were killed and over 60,000 displaced in the violence. Police arrest three over attack on Sunurok hill On 19 October, police arrested three people in connection with an attack on Sunurok hill. Three people were killed and three others injured in the incident. Police recovered 12 weapons, 1,095 cartridges and explosives from the accused. Angry residents later staged a protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Imphal, placing the bodies there. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Kharge questions Modi and Shah over Manipur violence Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the Union government over renewed violence in Manipur. In a post on social media platform X on 21 October, he condemned the killing of four innocent civilians in the state. Kharge raised three questions for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Violent incidents from February to October 7–11 February: Tensions escalated in the Litan area of Ukhrul district following a dispute between two Tangkhul Naga youths and two Kuki youths. An empty house belonging to a Kuki family was set on fire. Stone-pelting, firing and arson followed. The administration imposed a curfew and internet restrictions. 24–25 April: At least three people were killed in two shooting incidents near Sinaki Thel and Mullam villages in Ukhrul district. One of the victims belonged to the Tangkhul Naga community. 7–8 May: Firing and arson were reported in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, leaving at least six people injured. Reports also said that up to 15 houses were attacked and set on fire in three Tangkhul Naga villages near the India-Myanmar border. 10–15 August: According to Human Rights Watch, at least seven people were killed in violence between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities. 15–20 September: The death toll in the conflict had initially been reported at 34. By the end of the month, reports referred to more than 50 deaths in the Naga-Kuki conflict. The violence heightened tensions and security challenges between the two communities. 17 October: Armed groups from the Kuki and Naga communities exchanged fire in Chassad village in Kamjong district on Saturday. One person was killed and four others were injured in the incident. ​