Manipur Kuki man missing after an alleged abduction in Kangpokpi district has triggered concern among local residents, with his clothes reportedly recovered and a village body demanding his immediate return. The development has added to tensions in an area already affected by insecurity and community divisions.
The missing man has been identified as 71-year-old Hemjang Haokip of Khunkho Kuki village. Community organisations said he was allegedly taken from his agricultural field near Leimakhong on Saturday afternoon. However, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain under investigation.
Manipur Kuki man missing from field
According to the Kuki Youth Organisation (KYO), Leimakhong Block, Haokip was allegedly captured from his field at around 3 pm. The organisation attributed the alleged abduction to cadres of the NSCN-IM.
Haokip reportedly used a field hut near Leimakhong, in the Saitu assembly constituency, where he sometimes stayed overnight. On Saturday, heavy rainfall kept several villagers away from their agricultural fields. As a result, residents discovered the incident only later in the day.
When villagers reached the area, they found the field hut burnt. Haokip was not there. They then launched a search but could not locate him before darkness and security concerns forced them to stop.
Clothes reportedly recovered during search
The recovery of Haokip’s clothes has intensified fears about his whereabouts. Community members have treated the discovery as a significant clue, although it does not by itself establish what happened to him.
The alleged abduction and the burning of the field hut have raised fresh questions about civilian safety in the area. Moreover, community organisations have urged authorities to intensify the search and establish the facts surrounding the elderly farmer’s disappearance.
The allegations against the suspected abductors have not been independently verified. Authorities have also not publicly established that Haokip was taken by any particular armed group.
Village body seeks immediate action
The village community has demanded urgent intervention and sought Haokip’s safe return. A 24-hour deadline was set for his release, according to the complaint raised by the community.
The demand reflects growing anxiety among residents as the search for the elderly man continues. Community representatives have called on security agencies to act quickly and prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, the KYO has demanded an urgent investigation into both the alleged abduction and the burning of the field hut. It has also called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted.
Security concerns complicate search
The search has taken place against the backdrop of continuing tensions between communities in Manipur’s hill districts. Local residents reportedly halted their efforts after darkness because of security concerns.
The incident also comes at a time when security forces have increased their presence in parts of Kangpokpi. A separate report said state and central forces, including CRPF CoBRA personnel, were deployed and had launched a search operation in the Leimakhong-Khunkho area.
Conflicting reports emerge over Haokip
Reports about Haokip’s fate have developed rapidly. While initial accounts described him as missing after the alleged abduction and hut fire, a later report citing officials said a 71-year-old Kuki man was killed after unidentified people set a paddy field on fire. Local residents claimed the victim was Haokip and that he was trapped inside the hut.
However, other reports continued to describe Haokip as missing while community groups demanded his safe return. The conflicting accounts underline the need for authorities to establish his whereabouts and verify the circumstances through a formal investigation.
As of the latest available reports, the allegations concerning the identity of those responsible and the precise circumstances of Haokip’s disappearance or death remain contested.
Search for answers remains urgent
The case has renewed concern over the safety of civilians working in vulnerable areas of Kangpokpi. For the family and villagers, the immediate priority remains establishing what happened to the 71-year-old man.
Authorities face pressure to clarify the sequence of events, secure the area and determine whether the alleged abduction, the burning of the hut and the reported death are connected. Overall, the Manipur Kuki man missing case remains sensitive, and a credible investigation is essential to prevent further tension while providing clarity to Haokip’s family and community.
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