Two More Arrested in Murder of Six Naga Civilians; NIA Expands Investigation in Manipur
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Imphal
- Jul 18, 2026
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made two more arrests in connection with the abduction and brutal killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur, marking another significant breakthrough in one of the state's most sensitive ethnic violence investigations.
The arrests were carried out during a coordinated operation involving the NIA, Manipur Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as investigators continue to widen the scope of the probe.
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Two Accused Taken Into Custody
According to Manipur Police, the newly arrested suspects have been identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei, a resident of Leilon Vaiphei village in Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district, and Lunminthang Sitlhou, popularly known as Jack, from Molhoi village in the same district.
Officials said the arrests followed sustained investigations into the kidnapping and murder case. Security agencies added that efforts are continuing to identify and apprehend every individual believed to have participated in the crime.
Earlier Arrests in the Same Investigation
The latest action comes days after investigators arrested a husband and wife from Leilon Vaiphei village.
On July 10, Watham Pradip (42) and Watham Ongbi Ayingbi alias Mangaig (44) were taken into custody by a joint NIA-Manipur Police-CRPF team as part of the ongoing investigation into the killings.
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Meanwhile, reports have suggested that a police officer posted in Kangpokpi district was questioned over suspected links to the case. Authorities, however, have not officially confirmed any involvement, and the inquiry remains underway.
How the Hostage Crisis Began
The case traces back to the violent aftermath of the May 13 twin ambushes in Kangpokpi and Noney districts that claimed four lives, including three church leaders and one Naga civilian.
Following those attacks, 20 Naga civilians were allegedly abducted while travelling and taken hostage near Leilon Vaiphei, a Kuki-majority village in Kangpokpi district.
Later that evening, armed Naga groups reportedly abducted 28 members of the Kuki community, triggering a dangerous hostage crisis between the rival ethnic groups.
Partial Release of Hostages
After repeated appeals from civil society organisations and intervention by the Manipur government, 14 hostages from each community were released on May 15.
However, 14 Kukis and six Nagas continued to remain in captivity for several weeks.
On June 9, the remaining Kuki hostages were freed by Naga groups. The following day, authorities recovered the bodies of the six missing Naga civilians near Kharam Vaiphei, close to Leilon Vaiphei village. Officials said the bodies had been severely mutilated.
Kuki Zo Council Expresses Regret
On June 25, Henlienthang Thanglet, Chairman of the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), publicly described the killing of the six Naga civilians as a serious mistake and expressed regret during a press conference.
A day later, the KZC issued an official clarification through spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, stating that the chairman's remarks reflected humanitarian concern and moral responsibility rather than an admission of collective guilt on behalf of the Kuki-Zo community.
Manipur Ethnic Conflict Continues
Manipur has remained deeply divided since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, initially involving the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities before spreading across several ethnic groups.
The prolonged unrest has claimed more than 260 lives and displaced nearly 60,000 people, making it one of India's most serious internal conflicts in recent years.
The Meitei community is largely concentrated in the Imphal Valley, while the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zo population inhabits the surrounding hill districts.
Although the state government maintains that no officially designated buffer zones exist, several locations continue to be treated as highly sensitive due to ongoing security concerns.
New Government Faces Major Challenge
Following nearly a year of President's Rule, a new government assumed office in February with representatives from Manipur's three principal communities.
The administration now faces the difficult task of restoring public confidence, ensuring justice in high-profile cases, and rebuilding peace in a state still struggling with deep ethnic divisions.
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