Manipur: Two KCP cadres held over September kidnapping of woman

Two members of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Nongdrenkhomba) have been arrested in Manipur's Imphal East district on suspicion of involvement in the kidnapping of a woman in September, police said on Saturday, October 31.

According to a police statement carried by PTI, a joint team of Imphal East Police Commandos and personnel of the 31st Battalion of the Assam Rifles picked up the two on Thursday, October 29.

Who was arrested

India Today NE identified the two as Phanjoubam Thoiba Mangang, alias Pari and Malemnganba, 28, of Thongju Part-II, and Longjam Indrasen Singh, alias Chinglemba, 28, of Kiyamgei Awang Leikai. Both are from Imphal East.

Police said the two are suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of a woman from Top Awang Leikai in Imphal East on September 3. Police have not shared details of the kidnapping itself, including whether the woman was released or whether a ransom was demanded.

What was seized

Security personnel recovered a .32 pistol with four live rounds and a Maruti Suzuki A-Star car from the two, according to the reports. Police said further investigation would establish their roles and whether others were involved.

The wider picture

The Kangleipak Communist Party is one of several valley-based armed groups banned by the Centre, and has split into multiple factions over the years. Security forces in Manipur regularly report arrests of cadres from these factions on charges of extortion, kidnapping and weapons possession.

Joint operations by state police and central forces have continued across Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. PTI puts the toll of the conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki-Zo communities at at least 306 dead, with 49 people still missing and thousands displaced.

The police statement came on the day Meitei and Naga civil bodies were holding a joint rally in Imphal. The accused have not been charged in court yet, and the allegations against them remain to be proved.