Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced on Thursday that two Meitei youths, who were allegedly abducted by armed Kuki militants on September 27, have been safely returned to police custody. The youths, Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Meitei, were abducted from Kangpokpi district, sparking widespread protests across five districts in the Imphal Valley.
The protests were organized by the Meitei group, Joint Action Committee (JAC), which called for a shutdown to demand the safe release of the abducted youths. Districts like Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Thoubal saw commercial establishments shut down and streets blocked by demonstrators, including women, who also blocked National Highway 102.
The situation became politically charged as the Congress party criticized the BJP-led state government for not securing the youths’ timely release. Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah, calling the abduction and the militants’ alleged demands for hostage exchanges an “act of terrorism.” He highlighted the state’s failure to protect citizens’ fundamental rights, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The three youths had gone missing while traveling to Imphal West district for an SSC GD recruitment test but reportedly strayed into Kangpokpi district, where they were abducted. While one of the youths, Ningombam Johnson Singh, was rescued by Assam Rifles, the other two were missing until their safe return.
