Assam Rifles rescues abducted Manipur woman from Myanmar extremist group

GUWAHATI

Assam Rifles personnel on Saturday (May 9, 2026) secured the release of a Manipur woman who was abducted by members of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) and Village Volunteers Eastern Zone during a pre-dawn attack on Tangkhul Naga villages in Kamjong district along the India-Myanmar border on May 7.

A spokesperson for the paramilitary force said the release of Olina Ningshen, 45, was secured from the abductors at a place south of Z. Choro village “under the watch” of Assam Rifles, intelligence and other agencies.

According to a statement issued by the paramilitary force, the abducted woman’s husband, the village headman and members of civil society organisations (CSOs) were present during the release.

“After the release, the family and CSOs were taken to unit headquarters at Chassad (near the international border) for the formal handing over and documentation,” the statement said. The locals were later moved to their village, Khangphat Khn.

The abducted woman and others were provided medical and psychological assistance.

Troops of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest armed police force, brought the unrest reported near Z. Choro village on May 7 under control “despite challenging conditions”.

“Acting proactively during the incident, the Assam Rifles deployed multiple rescue teams. Ten houses affected by the violence were secured, and civilians were evacuated to the nearest safe location,” the spokesperson said.

Fifteen distressed villagers, including women and children, were rescued and provided humanitarian assistance at an Assam Rifles camp near the international border.

The troops also apprehended an armed member of the KNA-B, identified as 38-year-old Lal Thag John, during search operations in Churachandpur district. He was later handed over to the local police along with a weapon, a magazine and ammunition.