Well, Who are they only people that the hikers would not fight back.. who could make them take a death march to the woods.. the bodies lined up, military style.. Who can make them do all that? The knew the were dying and did nothing to save themselves.. The KNEW they were dying.. They knew that the minute the walked out of the tent and headed for the woods.. Only the government could make them do that.. IMO. I think they injured them, slashed the tent and left them for dead..
Governments will kill an airliner full of people to get to one of them.. They do that now and especially so in a Communist country.. I dont know about the Mansi.. maybe they moved the bodies.. who knows.. doesnt matter really. I dont think the Mansi could have pulled it off.. The hikers surely would have fought for their lives with them..
Just my opinion.. but thats what I think, given what we know.