Unidentified militants abducted four workers who are engaged by a private construction company on January 15 from Marku in Tamenglong District of Manipur, reports The Sangai Express. The abductees were identified as Mintu Lasker, Dev Kumar Mahanto, Hemento Singh and Guna Singh. Nagaland Post adds that the four abductees were rescued on January 18 from an unspecified location in Tamenglong District.
On January 19, a Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militant was arrested from Khudengthabi in Moreh of Tengnoupal District of Manipur, reports The Sangai Express. The arrestee was identified as Khwairakpam Mahesh alias Point.
In a significant moveKuki and Naga armed groups have come out openly to work together since the ethnic conflicts between the communities in the early 1990s, reports Imphal Free Press on January 20. The Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) have signed a joint declaration to work together to resolve differences in the course of finding a political settlement with the Union of India.The declaration was signed between the two sides after a meeting convened in Imphal on January 10.In the declaration jointly signed by N Kitovi Zhimomi, convener NNPGs and PS Haokip, president KNO, it stated that a thorough deliberation and discussion on the contentious political, social and inter-community matters prevailing for decades, particularly in Manipur, the two sides agreed upon to “work together closely in resolving difference through democratic political process thereby the history and identity of one is respected and acknowledged by the other, now and in the future”.Seilen Haokip, spokesperson KNO, termed the development “foundation of peace” between the Kukis and the Nagas.