IMPHAL: Two young men who went missing in Manipur's Kangpokpi district four days ago were found dead on Sunday, November 1, after an extensive joint search operation, Manipur Police said in a statement. The dead were identified in reports as Tinginlun Chongloi, 21, and Paoginlal Hangshing, 20, both of whom had disappeared from Taphou Kuki village on October 28.
Source: Manipur Police statement via Power Corridors
In its statement, Manipur Police said that after the disappearance of two persons from Taphou Kuki village on October 28, multiple search operations were launched by joint teams of Manipur Police, CRPF and Assam Rifles, and that on November 1 an extensive joint search was conducted by teams comprising Manipur Police, CoBRA, CRPF, Assam Rifles and RAF in the general area east of National Highway-2, along the SP Road, the hilly stretch connecting Senapati and Kangpokpi districts. During that search, the joint teams recovered two dead bodies from the area, the police said.
Police said the necessary legal formalities and other procedures were being carried out, and that extensive search and combing operations would continue in the area with the objective of identifying and apprehending those responsible for the incident. Police have not publicly named any suspect or established how the two men died.
Missing since October 28
The two youths were allegedly abducted by unidentified persons near Taphou Kuki village on October 28 — an allegation that has not been independently established by police. Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen had condemned the alleged abduction on Saturday and urged the authorities to make every possible effort to trace and rescue the two youths, according to IANS. The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) had called a 48-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi district demanding their safe release, and community members held protests and rallies pressing for action. CoTU alleged that the youths had been abducted by Naga militants — again, an allegation police have not confirmed.
Second fatal incident in the hills in 24 hours
The recovery came a day after a separate incident in neighbouring Noney district, where three Kuki-Zo men described as village volunteers were killed on Saturday in an exchange of fire between armed groups near Kekru Naga village — a killing police confirmed and community organisations condemned. Read the earlier report: three killed in Noney gunfight
Taken together, five Kuki-Zo men have died in the two separate incidents within about 24 hours, deepening alarm over civilian safety in Manipur's hill districts. The state's conflict, which erupted in May 2023, has left thousands displaced, and reports say tensions between Kuki-Zo and Naga groups have also escalated during 2026. Community organisations have demanded impartial investigations and action against those responsible; what happens next depends on the police investigation, which is continuing.