The Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills Kangpokpi (CoTU) has served a 24-hour ultimatum to the concerned authorities to trace the five missing Kuki-Zo and demanded that they be brought back safe and sound.

The missing Kuki-Zo, members of a wedding party, are Manglun Haokip (65), son of Haokholet of Bolkot village and his wife Nengkim (60), Neilam Haokip (55), wife of Ginkhai Haokip of Laimanai Kuki, John Thangjalam Haokip (25), son of T. Paoboi Haokip of Bolkot village and Jamkhothang Hanghal (40), son of Semkhohao Hanghal of Mongjang village.

Speaking to the media, CoTU spokesperson Lun Kipgen alleged that the five individuals were waylaid at Kangchup Chingkhong. The committee warned that it will not be responsible for any untoward incidents arising out of it.

He also said that two Arambai Tenggol who had crossed the Buffer Zone on November 5 at Kanglatongbi were supposedly kidnapped by the Village Volunteer Force was concocted to tarnish the image of the Kuki-Zo community.

However, he said that the Kuki-Zo community gave support and cooperation in the search and combined operations taken under the Kangpokpi SP and 22 Assam Rifles in the areas.