Imphal: The body of 71-year-old Kuki farmer Hemjang Haokip, who was allegedly abducted from his field near Khunkho Kuki village, was recovered in the Leilon Vaiphei area of Kangpokpi district.
GPS coordinates visible in a photograph taken at the recovery site - 24.929227° N, 93.818182° E point to the Leilon Vaiphei village area, near the Leilon Khunou locality.
Haokip was reportedly abducted after his field hut was set on fire. His body was later recovered with his hands and legs tied.
The Kuki Youth Organisation (KYO), Leimakhong Block, has alleged that NSCN-IM cadres were behind the abduction, while other Kuki civil society organisations have also pointed towards NSCN-IM and the ZUF-Kamson faction. The allegations have not been independently verified.
However, the reported recovery location raises another question: if NSCN-IM cadres were responsible, how did they allegedly enter the Leilon Vaiphei area, transport Haokip there and leave his body at the location? The Kuki organisations making the allegation should also address this question, particularly given the reported restrictions on movement in the area.
The location is also significant because six Liangmai Naga men were previously abducted from Leilon Vaiphei and later found dead, their bodies mutilated and butchered making the area the subject of an earlier major security investigation.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen has condemned Haokip's killing and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The question now is not only who allegedly abducted Hemjang Haokip, but also how he was taken to the location where his body was ultimately found.
This is a developing story
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