Imphal: The bodies of two Kuki-Zo youths who went missing last week were recovered by a joint security team along the Senapati-Phaibung Road on Sunday morning, Manipur Police confirmed.
The deceased were identified as 21-year-old Thangginlun Chongloi and 20-year-old Paoginlal Hangsing, both residents of Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district.
According to police officials, the bodies were found around 7.30 am during a coordinated search operation involving the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, COBRA, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF). The recovery site was located around 13 to 14 kilometres east of National Highway-2.
The discovery came after a four-day search operation launched following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) over the suspected abduction of the two youths. Security personnel had searched several locations, including Taphou Onaeme, Taphou Liangmei, Marenmei, Upper Marenmei and adjoining forest areas, before locating the bodies along the Senapati-Phaibung route.
Chongloi and Hangsing reportedly went missing on the evening of October 28 while returning to their village from the Hengbung police outpost. Investigators suspect that they were abducted near the 9th Manipur Rifles post in the Maremei area, close to the boundary between Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
The recovery took place amid a shutdown called by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) in Kangpokpi district. The organisation had initially announced a 48-hour shutdown from October 29, demanding the safe return of the missing youths. It subsequently extended the shutdown by another 24 hours, citing the lack of progress in securing their release.
Police said the bodies were being taken to Kangpokpi for post-mortem examinations, while the required legal formalities were underway.
Meanwhile, joint security forces said search and combing operations would continue in the surrounding areas to trace and arrest those responsible for the deaths.