Guwahati: Manipur Police on Tuesday said four men have been apprehended in Kangpokpi district for their suspected involvement in the abduction of six Naga civilians on May 13, who are allegedly still being held hostage.“The individuals are suspected to be active cadres of armed village volunteer groups in Kangpokpi district and are suspected to have been involved in anti-social activities i.e. extortion, criminal intimidation and possession of arms and ammunition. The role of apprehended individuals in the abduction of six individuals is suspected and will be ascertained during the course of investigation,” the police said in a statement.Police said after the abduction of the six individuals from Leilon Vaiphei in Kangpokpi district, a series of operations were launched to trace the victims and apprehend those involved.In one such operation on Monday, joint security forces of Manipur Police, the CRPF and the Assam Rifles apprehended four individuals from the area between P Molding and Leilon Veiphei along an inter-village road.The apprehended persons were identified as Thangkhomang Khongsai (51), Seikholet Khongsai (40), Lunminthang Dimngel (27) and Kamgoulal Khongsai (30).While the Nagas are demanding release of their six men held captive by the Kukis, the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, has claimed that 14 members of their community are also being held hostage by Naga groups.Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday said the case relating to six Naga villagers abducted by armed militants will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He also appealed to the UNC to help secure the release of 14 Kuki civilians still in captivity and urged Kuki organisations to cooperate in tracing the six missing Nagas.The abductions took place on May 13, hours after three church leaders were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi district. More than 38 people were taken hostage in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. Of them, 31 have since been released. The UNC claims six Naga men remain untraced, while the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, claimed that 14 members of their community are still being held by Naga groups.
