Remains of kids found, Senapati tense

The discovery of the skeletal remains of two 10-year-old boys who had been reported kidnapped since last December led to tension in Senapati district

The discovery of the skeletal remains of two 10-year-old boys who had been reported kidnapped since last December led to tension in Senapati district today. A mob pulled down the homes of two prime suspects in the three-month-long kidnap saga that saw as many as five independent investigations”—four by militant outfits and one by the state police—come to naught. The two prime suspects, Manikho and Brown Tangkhul, are incidentally in the custody of the NSCN (I-M).

Muhenii Martin and Hrinii Hubert were kidnapped on December 14 from Muhenii’s home, allegedly by Manikho. After a series of frantic phone calls between the parents and the kidnappers, a ransom of Rs 5 lakh was paid, but the boys never returned. Since then, Senapati has been rocked by strikes running over three days at a stretch, rallies and poster campaigns urging the kidnappers to return the children safe and sound.

Dissatisfied with the state government’s response, the parents approached the NSCN (I-M) as well as Kuki and valley-based outfits. The Naga militant outfit immediately picked up Manikho, who has been in their custody ever since. In all, said social worker Solomon Veino, 11 suspects are in the custody of various militant groups who are yet to pool or share their information.

Story continues below this ad

In a statement the NSCN (I-M)’s ministry of information and publicity while expressing solidarity with the parents said the culprits will be punished. However, angry residents of Senapati gave the NSCN (I-M) till 10 pm on Thursday to share their interrogation findings with the public.

Senapati SP Nishit Kumar Ujjwal confirmed that the skeletons were of the two missing boys and added that the police had not spared any effort on its part. Senior police sources said the Manikho and Brown Tangkhul’s detention by the NSCN (I-M) had stonewalled investigations. “We are unable to interrogate the suspects. We are appealing for them to be handed over to us.”.

Prior to the disappearance of the boys, the kidnapping case that rocked the state was that of Lungnila Elizabeth, daughter of ex Power Minister Francis Ngajokpa in 2003. Inspite of the ransom being paid, Elizabeth was found dead. In that case, too, the NSCN (IM) had picked up a “prime suspect”, only to release him two months later.

Modi writes foreword to Giorgia Meloni’s memoir, calls the book her ‘Mann Ki Baat’

India4 min ago

PM Modi hails Italian PM Meloni's autobiography, praising her as a patriot and contemporary leader. He applauds her for championing cultural heritage and motherhood. The book, a bestseller, depicts Meloni's journey as a woman in politics and her historic rise to becoming Italy's first female PM.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS