Manipur-based singer and lyricist Akhu Chingangbam was kidnapped by armed miscreants, India Today North East reported on Friday. Akhu Chingangbam is from Khurai in Imphal East. He is a singer, lyricist and founder of a folk rock band called 'Imphal Talkies'.

According to the report, he was picked up by gunmen after his wife and mother were held at gunpoint.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between the Meiteis and the Kukis since May earlier this year. More than 160 people have been killed and over 3,000 injured since violence broke out in May, when a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts of Manipur to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of the state's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.

Source: India Today