A 76-year-old man from Manipur ‘s Kangpokpi district was found dead on Sunday after being reportedly abducted by an unknown armed group from a nearby paddy field on Saturday, officials confirmed.
“It has further been reported that the small temporary field hut belonging to him was burned down following the incident. Subsequently, a hut where he usually stayed in the paddy field was also set on fire. Since the hut was set on fire, Haokip had been missing, and the village authority, along with other Kuki civil bodies, have been demanding his safe release. The abduction attributed to armed personnel belonging to NSCN-IM, KYO regards this incident as a grave attack against an innocent civilian and an unacceptable threat to the safety of villagers in the Leimakhong area, ” the statement added. However, the allegations made by the Kuki bodies against NSCN-IM could not be independently verified. The police are conducting an investigation and have yet to establish who is involved in the crime.
Hemjang Haokip was allegedly taken by cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issac Muivah (NSCN-IM) faction (a Naga armed group) from his field hut in Khunkho Kuki village, according to a statement issued by Khunkho Kuki Village Authority.
During the spot investigation, both hands of the body were found tied with a rope, and injuries were suspected to have been made by some sharp objects.
The body was recovered from a nearby area at Khunkho Kuki village, Kangpokpi district, according to officials.
