An NIA-led team has arrested two in connection with the killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur

The bodies of six Naga civilians were recovered from near Leilon Vaiphei village on June 10, sparking protests by the Naga and Meitei communities demanding the arrest of the perpetrators. Photo file | Photo credit: PTI

A team of security officials headed by National Investigation Agency arrested two persons from Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Friday morning (July 10, 2026) for their alleged involvement in the killing of six Naga civilians, police said.

According to them, the operation was conducted by a joint team of Manipur Police, NIA and CRPF based on credible inputs.

On Friday (July 10, 2026), they launched an operation in Leilon Vaiphei to nab two accused who were allegedly involved in the killing of six Naga persons on May 13 in the same village.

Police said a woman, Ayingbi, and another person, Pradip, were arrested from Kuki-Zo village.

The bodies of six Naga civilians were recovered from near Leilon Vaiphei village on June 10, sparking protests by the Naga and Meitei communities demanding the arrest of the perpetrators.

Naga groups also blocked all roads to Kangpokpi district, leading to a massive increase in the prices of basic commodities in the Kuki-Zo majority district.

Days after the bodies were found, Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlienthang Thanglet apologized for the incident and called for an impartial investigation into all acts of violence linked to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.

“I admit that the people of Kuki-Zo made a grave mistake when they killed six Naga civilians. It was done in emotion. I strongly condemn it. I am very sorry and apologize on behalf of my people,” he told a press conference.

However, a day later, KZC said that certain parts of Thanglet’s remarks were “misconstrued as an admission of responsibility by the Kuki-Zo community”.

It said the chairman’s expression of grief was made purely in the spirit of humanity, compassion and moral responsibility and “was not intended to ascribe collective guilt”.

The clarification came after an influential Naga student body expressed anger over the apology issued by the KZC chief for the killing of six Naga hostages in the state.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 11:29 IST