Manipur: Congress MP writes to Amit Shah for safe release of 2 ‘abducted Meitei youths’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Flagging the escalating communal violence and a “disturbing” youth hostage situation that has emerged in Manipur, Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Wednesday wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah appealing for the safe release of two abducted youths.
“I urgently bring to your attention the escalating communal violence, ongoing since May 3 2023, where hundreds of people from both the Meitei and Kuki communities have been killed, including in custody of the armed groups, while still many are missing,” the Congress MP from Imphal wrote in his letter to the home minister.

Calling it the first time such an incident has happened since the last year, the Congress MP provided details of the three youths who were abducted (one freed) and urged the home minister to take cognizance of the matter.
“On September 27, 2024, three youths from Thoubal district -Ningombam Johnson Singh, Oinam Thoithoi Singh, and Thokchom- went missing while travelling to New Keithalmanbi, but strayed to Keithalmanbi. They were abducted by suspected members of the Kuki community. While one youth, Ningombam Johnson was rescued by the Assam rifles, the other two remain in the custody of the suspected Kuki abductors,” he said.
“It should go without saying that putting up demands in exchange for the hostages is an act an terrorism and we as a country should not succumb to such terror tactics,” he added. He also urged the minister to use all resource at his disposal to ensure the safe release of the hostage without any delay.
The letter from the MP comes after the grand old party’s Manipur unit earlier in the day flagged it and called it a failure of a law and order in the state. State Congress chief K. Meghachandra said they recently held a joint meeting with chief minister N. Biren Singh and legislators, where they urged the CM to enforce constitutional provisions and the laws of the land.
“We also called on him to seek the assistance of home minister Amit Shah to rescue the two youths with the help of state and central forces,” he said.
“We are confused as to why the state government has been unable to rescue the two youths and why the home department seems helpless in assisting the people,” Meghachandra remarked.
He further criticised the central government’s role in resolving the ongoing crisis, saying, “The unrest has continued for more than a year and a half. There is still no sign of development or an improved law and order situation, and the administration has failed.”
Security forces are making all-out efforts to the three youths, who were allegedly abducted by armed men in Kangpokpi district on September 27. One of the three youths has already been rescued by the Assam rifles.