NIA, Manipur Police and CRPF arrest two suspects in the Leilon Vaiphei killings as police issue a clarification on the accused's identity amid public criticism.
Imphal, July 10: A joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday arrested two persons in connection with the killing of six Naga civilians who were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei in Kangpokpi district on May 13.
The arrests came nearly a month after the mutilated bodies of the six victims were recovered on June 10, while protests and an inter-district economic blockade demanding justice continue in parts of the state.
According to Manipur Police, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Friday based on specific intelligence inputs. The two arrested persons were identified in a subsequent police clarification as Ayingbi alias Mangaih, daughter of Nimkhinsau, and Pradip, both residents of Leilon Vaiphei village.
Police stated that witnesses present during the abduction had identified the two accused. It also noted that search and seizure operations were conducted and legal formalities were being completed.
The department added that efforts are continuing to apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the killings.
Police issues clarification after online criticism
The arrests were followed by controversy after Manipur Police issued two separate statements containing differing details about the identities of the accused.
In its initial social media post, the police identified those arrested as Pradip, son of Tomba, and Ayingbi, wife of Pradip, both residents of Leilon Vaiphei village. The post stated that the arrests were made by a joint team of Manipur Police, NIA and CRPF following an intelligence-led operation.
However, several hours later, the department issued a clarification identifying the accused as Ayingbi alias Mangaih, daughter of Nimkhinsau, and Pradip, while adding that both had been identified by eyewitnesses present at the time of the abduction.
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The discrepancy between the two police statements drew criticism on social media, with several users questioning the inconsistency in the identification of the accused.
MP questions investigation
Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam also reacted to the arrests through a social media post.
Referring to the police operation, the MP questioned why only two individuals with what he described as "Meitei roots" had been arrested despite the case involving multiple alleged perpetrators.
"The nature of the 'State' as implicated in the years-old unprecedented violence is becoming more and more clearer," he wrote.
Organisation rejects claims linking accused to Senjam Chirang
Meanwhile, The Senjam Chirang Kounu Leima Chanura Marup issued a press statement rejecting claims circulating on social media that the two accused belonged to Senjam Chirang.
The statement, signed by Heikham (O) Ambrapati, asserted that neither Pradip nor Ayingbi belonged to Senjam Chirang and described the allegation as baseless.
The organisation alleged that linking the accused to the locality appeared to be a deliberate attempt to create misunderstanding and hatred among communities.
Case stems from May 13 abduction
The case relates to the abduction of 18 Liangmai Naga civilians from Konsakhul and Leilon Vaiphei on May 13.
According to earlier accounts, 12 women were released on May 15, while six men remained in captivity. Their bodies were recovered on June 10, reportedly in a mutilated condition, triggering widespread outrage across Manipur.
The remains of the six victims continue to be kept at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary.
The killings sparked sustained protests by Naga civil society organisations, including an inter-district economic blockade demanding justice for the victims.
The incident also drew support from several Meitei organisations, with members of both communities participating in demonstrations seeking the arrest of those responsible.
Search operations intensified
Following the recovery of the bodies, security forces conducted extensive search operations in and around Leilon Vaiphei between June 20 and June 22.
Although weapons and other materials were reportedly recovered during those operations, no arrests were made at the time. Friday's arrests mark the first breakthrough in the investigation since the bodies were recovered.
The case has also attracted attention after Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet reportedly claimed responsibility for the killings during a press conference in June. However, investigators have not publicly indicated whether that claim forms part of the ongoing investigation.
