Imphal: Four suspects have been arrested for the abduction and brutal killing of six Naga civilians in Leilon Vaiphei, Manipur, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam told the Assembly on Thursday.
The identities of another four individuals involved in the brutal murder case have been identified, and they are still on the run.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is leading the investigation and actively pursuing leads regarding other suspected individuals.
In the legislative context, Konthoujam shared the update during Question Hour in the eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, responding to queries from Congress MLA K Ranjit Singh.
Describing the tragedy as one of the conflict’s most severe escalations, Ranjit said the victims were brutally killed and their bodies dismembered.
The MLA said that the victims’ bodies have lain in the JNIMS mortuary for over three months while their families await justice.
Ranjit questioned the alleged involvement of a Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P) leader and a local police constable, citing testimonies from survivors who were released.
Konthoujam explained that two initial arrests led to two subsequent detentions, and the four suspects have now named four additional accomplices.
The Home Minister clarified that the accused police constable was cleared of involvement, with records proving he was on official duty during the incident. Regarding the KNF-P leadership, Konthoujam stated that current NIA findings have not confirmed any links to the militant group. The case stems from the May 13, 2026 incident in which 18 Liangmai Naga civilians returning from a wedding were abducted; 12 were freed, but six were later found dead.