The Manipur Police said the two arrested people have been identified as Kammang Lhouvum, 65, and Pagin Hangshing, 30

The development comes a day after the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) sought the intervention of President Droupadi Murmu, demanding justice for the victims and stronger measures to restore peace and security in the conflict-hit state

RPF Director General GP Singh has also been rushed to the state to monitor the operations.

The Manipur delegation said pushing forward with a standard census amid widespread displacement and institutional breakdown would skew vital state data and institutionalise demographic discrepancies

Recognising its strategic importance, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) sanctioned a Rs 1,300-crore project in 2022 to widen and upgrade 203 km of the highway into an all-weather corridor.

Following the attack on the convoy of the 40 Assam Rifles, the security forces launched search and area-domination operations by cordoning off the entire area

Ahead of the burial, Valte was accorded a guard of honour by 1st IRB personnel with a gun salute.

The incident triggered a fresh war of allegations between Kuki and Naga organisations, with each side accusing the other of carrying out coordinated attacks

United Naga Council (UNC) and the Meitei Alliance demanded swift action after the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlienthang Thanglet's comments on camera on the killing of six civilians

Six Nagas were taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their bodies were recovered on June 10 from the vicinity of a Kuki-Zo village.

Officials said the operation was based on intelligence inputs and evidence gathered during ongoing investigations.

Manipur security forces intensify operations amid protests over Kuki patients and civilian death claims.

Sources say the second phase of the Census may be conducted slightly earlier so that government staff are available for election duty.

Since the elections in these five states are due around the same period that Census operations will be underway, the Commission may consider advancing polling dates by a few weeks or even a few months if required.

The developments came as Naga organisations renewed their demand for justice for six Naga civilians who were abducted and killed last month, adding another layer of tension to the state's fragile security situation.

Clashes were reported between security personnel and angry mourners, including family members and residents who had gathered to pay their last respects.

The Nagas have now declared that they will not accept the bodies of the six hostages until their charter of demands is fully addressed.

The bodies were found after nearly 24 hours of sustained search operations involving around 450 personnel from the Manipur Police, CRPF and Assam Rifles, assisted by sniffer dogs and forensic teams, the Manipur Police said.

The release came after central and state governments ensured that all possible efforts would be made to trace and establish the status of the six missing Naga hostages.

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the killing of the civilian, and said the security forces are carrying out operations to bring the attackers to justice

The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is the CRPF's specialised jungle warfare unit and has played a major role in anti-Naxal operations across central India.

Hundreds of participants carrying placards and banners joined the procession, raising slogans against the Census exercise and urging the authorities to defer it until normalcy is restored in the state.

The personnel must not hesitate to open fire if needed, CRPF Director General GP Singh is heard saying in a speech that has since gone viral.

The incident comes amid an ongoing dispute over a temporary Assam Rifles post established at New Heaven, which local organisations claim falls under the jurisdiction of Shokvao Village.