In a rare act of diplomacy in Manipur after 17-month-long conflict between the Kuki and the Meitei communities, a significant breakthrough unfolded on Thursday. Two youths from Thoubal district, detained by Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers since September 27, were released early this morning in exchange for Kuki-Zo prisoners who have secured bail but were languishing in prison. The exchange, seen as a crucial step toward peace, took place at Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi District on the seventeenth Kuki-Zo Remembrance Day, with powerful visuals capturing the sight of Kukis and Meeteis embracing and shaking hands—a first in the long-standing conflict.
The two youths, identified as Thokchom Thoithoiba and Oinam Thoithoi, were handed over to the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi, at around 5 AM before being transported to Imphal to reunite with their families. Their release followed days of intense negotiations, during which the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers insisted on key demands before freeing the youths, citing security concerns linked to a previous incident involving an ex-army man’s tragic death.
The Manipur CM N Biren Singh posed on social media regarding the release, “the two young men abducted in Kangpokpi on 27th September 2024 have been safely brought back to the custody of Manipur Police. I sincerely appreciate everyone from both the state and central government who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. Your efforts are deeply valued.” However, the post has found no mention of the deal as far as the exchange is concerned.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) played a key role in brokering the deal, which saw the Manipur government agree to transfer Kuki-Zo inmates from Sajiwa Jail to areas dominated by their community and establish a new police outpost in a vulnerable part of Kangpokpi District. This led to the release of 11 Kuki undertrial prisoners earlier in a gesture reciprocating the youths’ handover.
CoTU spokesperson NG Lun Kipgen emphasized the committee’s persistent efforts to ensure the safe release of the detainees, despite being criticized by local media in Imphal. He also underscored the importance of the Central Government’s intervention in finalizing the deal. “If the CM had cared for those two detained individuals, he would have acted. Sadly so, we requested the central government to intervene, and finally, the DGP at the behest of the central government made it possible to reach an amicable solution. Therefore, two youths were released today, and as per the agreement, 11 people who are inmates have been received here at this church compound,” added Kipgen. The abduction occurred when three young men from Thoubal district were travelling to New Keithelmanbi for an SSC GD recruitment test on September 27. They were reportedly taken by suspected armed members of the Kuki community.
