Two Meitei teenagers Maibam Avinash and Ningthoujam Anthony missing in Manipur, three persons detained

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Manipur Police Detain Three Individuals After Two Meitei Teenagers Go Missing

The Manipur Police have detained three individuals from the hill district of Kangpokpi following the disappearance of two Meitei teenagers. The missing boys, 16-year-old Maibam Avinash and 19-year-old Ningthoujam Anthony, were last seen after they visited the Sekmai area in Imphal West district on Sunday morning to attend a function, as reported by The Hindu.

The incident has sparked fresh tensions in the Imphal valley, which has been experiencing ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities. The conflict, which erupted in early May, has claimed the lives of over 200 people and forced nearly 60,000 individuals to flee their homes, according to reports from Scroll.in.

The hill districts are predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zos, while the Meiteis dominate the Imphal Valley. The ongoing violence has further deepened the divide between these communities.

The Manipur Police announced on social media that the three individuals were detained during a search operation conducted by security forces in the villages of Khengjang and K Lhangnom in Kangpokpi. The police stated that the detainees are being held for further interrogation and verification in connection with the disappearance of the two teenagers. The search operation for Avinash and Anthony is still ongoing.

On Monday, Governor Anusuiya Uikey met with the families of the missing teenagers to offer support and reassurance during this difficult time.

In a concerning development, the phones belonging to Avinash and Anthony were found wrapped in a black plastic bag near an oil pump in Senapati district. The Senapati district is predominantly inhabited by the Naga community. The recovery of the phones in this area has raised suspicions and led to condemnations from the Naga People’s Organization in Manipur.

The organization alleged that “some miscreants” deliberately placed the phones in Senapati district to implicate the Nagas in the ongoing ethnic conflict. They believe that this act was intended to create misunderstandings and escalate tensions between different communities.

“This deceitful act is intended to drag the Nagas and flare up misunderstandings between different communities,” the organization stated. “Nagas of Senapati have always maintained neutrality, but unscrupulous miscreants tend to scapegoat those not involved.”

The Manipur Police continue their investigation into the disappearance of the two teenagers, and efforts are being made to find them and bring them back safely to their families. The situation remains tense, and authorities are working tirelessly to restore peace and harmony in the region.

In conclusion, the disappearance of the Meitei teenagers has added to the already simmering tensions between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur. The detention of three individuals and the recovery of the boys’ phones in a Naga-dominated area have raised suspicions and prompted condemnations. The Manipur Police are determined to solve the case and ensure the safe return of the missing teenagers. The state government, along with various organizations and authorities, is working towards restoring peace and unity among the different communities in the region..