The body was located by villagers who had been combing the dense forest for days after a coordinated search by the Kangpokpi police and central forces.
Residents of Khunkho Kuki village reported that Haokip had been seized from a hut on October 3 by armed men, and he had remained missing for 17 days before the fatal discovery.
Sniffer dogs were deployed after clothes were found earlier that Sunday, leading officers to the jungle at about 3 p.m.; the search covered over 50 square kilometers of dense forest.
A neighbor, L. Singh, told police he heard shouting at night and fled to safety, adding to the urgency of the investigation.
Arson was reported in hill areas under Leimakhong police station that same evening, heightening security concerns across the district.
Police officials announced that the investigation is underway and suspects will be charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, with the body held at Churachandpur morgue pending forensic analysis.