Manipur forces launch urgent mission to rescue hostages
Sniffer dogs join intense search operation, officials confirm
Imphal — Security forces intensified search operations on Wednesday, May 20, combing the interior hill terrain of Kangpokpi district as they try to find people still believed to be held hostage by armed groups. Police said teams have fanned out around Leilon Vaiphei, Songtun, Khunkho and P Molding villages, using sniffer dogs and other resources to cover difficult, forested ground.
The operation follows a string of violent incidents earlier this month. On May 13, armed groups ambushed a convoy in Kangpokpi, killing three church leaders, and later abducted more than 38 people from Kangpokpi and neighbouring Senapati districts. Authorities say 31 of the abductees have since been released, but several remain unaccounted for — and families are living through agonising uncertainty.
Local leaders have been pressing the state government for answers. On Tuesday, a Liangmai Naga community leader met Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh and urged that if the missing people have been killed, their bodies be returned promptly so families can perform last rites. The appeal underscored the human cost behind the numbers: parents, spouses and children waiting for any news, hoping for reunion but preparing for the worst.
The situation is further complicated by competing claims from community bodies. Kuki Inpi‑Manipur, the apex organisation representing Kuki tribes in the state, said 14 members of their community remain in the hands of Naga groups. Such assertions add strain to an already fraught communal landscape and increase pressure on authorities to secure safe releases and prevent further violence.
For security forces, the terrain itself is a challenge. Kangpokpi’s hills and dense forestry make search-and-rescue operations slow and hazardous. Sniffer dogs have been deployed to help track paths and locate hidden camps or shelters, while teams move carefully, mindful of the risk of ambush or booby traps. Police statements stress that operations are continuing steadily, with the priority being the safe recovery of those still missing.
The human dimension of the crisis is plain in towns and villages near the search zones. Markets are subdued, schools see fewer children, and communities are gathering in prayer and counsel, trying to find ways to support families of the missing. Social media and local networks buzz with appeals, sightings, rumours and pleas for information, reflecting both the desperation and solidarity within affected communities.
The hope is that continued pressure — diplomatic, on-the-ground searches, and negotiation where possible — will bring more people home. But until those efforts succeed, the region remains on edge.
This episode is another painful reminder of how quickly insecurity can upend lives in parts of India’s Northeast. For the families awaiting news, every hour is heavy with fear and hope. Authorities say their work will continue until every missing person is accounted for and peace is restored in the hills.