Manipur: Bodies of two missing Kuki youths found after 4-day search
Synopsis
Two Kuki youths who vanished from Taphou Kuki village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on 28 October were found dead on 1 November after a four-day joint operation by the Manipur Police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles. The Committee on Tribal Unity had alleged abduction by Naga militants — a claim not yet officially confirmed — while a 48-hour shutdown paralysed NH-2 traffic. The hunt for perpetrators continues.
Key Takeaways
Tinginlun Chongloi (21) and Paoginlal Hangshing (20) went missing from Taphou Kuki village , Kangpokpi district , on 28 October .
Their bodies were recovered on 1 November during a joint search operation east of NH-2 , along SP Road .
Search teams comprised Manipur Police , CRPF , CoBRA , RAF , and Assam Rifles .
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) alleged the youths were abducted by 'Naga militants'; this has not been officially confirmed.
A 48-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi district disrupted traffic on NH-2 from Thursday 5 pm until Saturday evening .
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen had earlier condemned the alleged abduction and urged authorities to act swiftly.
The bodies of two Kuki youths who went missing on 28 October were recovered on Sunday, 1 November, following an extensive four-day search operation conducted by joint teams of the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Assam Rifles in Kangpokpi district, officials said. The two men had last been seen near Taphou Kuki village before their disappearance triggered a major security response across the region.
The Search and Recovery
According to a Manipur Police official, the search was launched immediately after the youths were reported missing on the evening of 28 October. Multiple agencies were deployed, including the CRPF, CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), Rapid Action Force (RAF), and Assam Rifles. On Sunday, a joint team conducted an extensive sweep in the general area east of the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), along SP Road, where the two bodies were ultimately recovered. Police are currently carrying out the necessary legal formalities following the discovery.
Who Were the Victims
The two youths have been identified as Tinginlun Chongloi, aged 21, and Paoginlal Hangshing, aged 20, both residents of the Kangpokpi district. They were allegedly abducted by unidentified individuals near Taphou Kuki village on Wednesday evening, according to officials.
Shutdown and Community Protests
The alleged abduction sparked a 48-hour shutdown called by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) in Kangpokpi district, which disrupted vehicular movement along NH-2 until Saturday evening. The shutdown began at 5 pm on Thursday, with shops, markets, and commercial establishments shutting down in protest. COTU alleged that the two youths had been abducted by 'Naga militants', though this claim has not been officially confirmed by security agencies.
Government Response
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen earlier urged authorities to make every possible effort to trace and rescue the missing youths. In a statement, Kipgen strongly condemned the alleged abduction, calling for swift action. The recovery of the bodies now shifts the focus to identifying and prosecuting those responsible.
Hunt for Perpetrators Continues
Officials confirmed that extensive search and combing operations will continue in the area with the objective of identifying and apprehending those responsible for the incident. The case adds to the prolonged security and ethnic tensions that have gripped Manipur over the past year. Investigators have not yet publicly named any suspects, and all allegations against specific groups remain unconfirmed pending the investigation.
Point of View
Before any investigation concluded, reflects how quickly unverified allegations harden into community grievances in this environment. What is notably absent is any official acknowledgement of whether the alleged perpetrators belong to a specific group — a silence that, in Manipur's current climate, can be as inflammatory as the allegation itself. The Centre's continuing reliance on security operations without a visible political resolution track is beginning to look like management of a wound rather than treatment of it.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the two Kuki youths found dead in Manipur?
The two youths have been identified as Tinginlun Chongloi , aged 21, and Paoginlal Hangshing , aged 20, both from Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district. They went missing on the evening of 28 October and their bodies were recovered on 1 November.
Where and how were the bodies found?
The bodies were recovered during an extensive joint search operation on 1 November in the general area east of the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), along SP Road. Teams from the Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, RAF, and Assam Rifles were involved in the operation.
Who has been accused of the alleged abduction?
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) alleged that the two youths were abducted by 'Naga militants.' This claim has not been officially confirmed by security agencies, and the investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible.
What was the impact of the incident on Kangpokpi district?
COTU called a 48-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi district to protest the alleged abduction. The shutdown began at 5 pm on Thursday and disrupted vehicular movement along NH-2 until Saturday evening, with shops and markets remaining closed throughout.
What has the Manipur government said about the incident?
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen strongly condemned the alleged abduction and earlier urged authorities to make every possible effort to rescue the missing youths. Following the recovery of the bodies, officials confirmed that search and combing operations will continue to identify those responsible.
