There has been no breakthrough in the September 27 “abduction” of two Meitei youths from Kangpokpi district in Manipur even as the state administration was “making all-out efforts” to rescue them safely.

Reports from Imphal said three youths hailing from Thoubal district were on their way to New Keithelambi on Friday to appear for their fitness test for recruitment as constables in central forces but went missing in the afternoon after they strayed into a Kuki-Zo area. One of the youths was rescued on Friday itself by security forces but the search for the other two continued.

Manipur chief minister Biren Singh said on the sidelines of an official function in Imphal on Tuesday that the state and central governments were “closely monitoring the situation 24x7 and working collectively by exploring every possible effort for the safe return of the two individuals”.

Singh also said director-general of police Rajiv Singh had been rushed to the spot (Kangpokpi) to talk to relevant parties to resolve the hostage crisis.

Kangpokpi is a Kuki-Zo majority district bordering Imphal.

In Meitei-majority Thoubal, local residents staged a sit-in on Monday seeking the safe release of the two youths. A group also resorted to highway blockade in the evening. A Delhi-based Meitei organisation has appealed to the Kuki community to release the two youth unharmed to deescalate the situation.

Officials said Ningombam Johnson Singh, 25, was “rescued” by army personnel on Friday and he reunited with his family on Saturday while the search was on for Oinam Thoithoi Singh, 26, and Thokchom Thoithoiba Singh, 27.

Sources said a video which surfaced on social media on Sunday showing the two youths appealing to the chief minister for help and to “meet” the demands of the kidnappers had amplified the anguish of the affected families and the concern of the administration, prompting Singh to call a meeting of MLAs of the ruling and Opposition parties soon after on the “current” situation, “particularly focusing on the rescue of the abduction of two innocent youths by Kuki militants”.