Manipur: Militants demand release of jailed Kuki leader in exchange for hostages
Guwahati: A group of militants have demanded the release of their jailed leader, Mark Thangmang Haokip in Manipur, in exchange for the two youths who were abducted on Friday.
The abducted youths were identified as Oinam Thoithoi and Thokchom Thoithoiba.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, however, stated the state government will not give in to the militants' demands and has sought help from the central government to rescue the hostages.
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According to reports, Mark Thangmang Haokip is the president of the separatist outfit Government of People's Democratic Republic of Kukiland.
He is currently lodged at the Sajiwa Jail in Imphal East district.
The state government has refused to negotiate with the militants and has sought assistance from the central government to rescue the hostages.
Mark Thangmang Haokip was arrested from Kishangarh, New Delhi on May 24, 2022, on the charge of hatching a conspiracy to wage war against the government of India by identifying himself as the president of a 'separatist outfit' Government of People's Democratic Republic of Kukiland.
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National Investigating Agency (NIA) is handling the case against him while one chargesheet was already filed against him.
He is a resident of Molnom village in the Churachandpur district of Manipur and son of Limkhosei Haokip of Molnom village, Churachandpur.
In the meantime, the MPCC president and a sitting MLA in the state assembly also appealed to the abductors to release the two youths safely for the peaceful co-existence of two communities - the Meities and Kuki.