A total of 28 persons from Naga and Kuki communities, who were taken hostage following recent violent incidents in Manipur’s Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, have been released amid ongoing efforts by the state government, security agencies, and civil society organizations to secure the release of all remaining captives.
According to media reports, the releases took place in the early hours of Friday as both sides facilitated the handover of detainees in separate locations across the two districts.
On the Naga side, 14 individuals, including both men and women, who were detained at Ireng Liangmai village near Singda Dam and in Senapati, were released. However, according to a Ukhrul Times report, the whereabouts of six male detainees from Konsakhul, a Naga village, who were reportedly being held at Leilon Vaiphei village, remain unknown.
On the Kuki side, it was reported that 14 individuals were released, including 12 women held at Leilon Vaiphei village and two persons associated with the Salesian Provincial Office in Dimapur who were detained in the Sapermeina area.
UNC, Manipur govt extend deadline to May 16
A meeting was held in Senapati on the issue of abducted civilians between the United Naga Council (UNC), Senapati district civil society organisations, and officials of the Home Department, Government of Manipur. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, was held at the DC Conference Hall.
According to Ukhrul Times, during the discussion, the Home Department assured that the status of six abducted Naga men would be ascertained by the following day, following demands from civil society organisations for clarity on their whereabouts and condition.
Following the emergency meeting, the UNC and the state government agreed to extend the 6 pm deadline of May 15 to 2 pm on May 16. According to the UNC Media Cell, the extension was granted at the request of the state government to allow time to verify the status of the abductees and facilitate their safe release.
The UNC said the decision followed discussions between both sides in response to its ultimatum dated May 14.
Kuki Inpi Manipur extends shutdown, demands release of remaining 14 hostages
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, on Thursday acknowledged the release of 14 Kuki hostages but said an equal number of civilians continue to remain in “illegal detention and unlawful custody,” and announced an extension of its ongoing shutdown.
In a press statement issued on May 15, the organization said, “another 14 Kuki individuals continue to remain under illegal detention and unlawful custody,” despite the release of some hostages following its earlier ultimatum.
Stating that the safety of the remaining detainees was at risk, Kuki Inpi Manipur announced the extension of its 48-hour total shutdown for another 48 hours, effective from midnight of May 15.
It urged authorities to act without delay to secure the “safe, unconditional, and immediate release of all remaining hostages.”
The organization also called upon district civil society organizations and Kuki-Zo frontal bodies to intensify democratic and constitutional forms of protest.
As part of the agitation, it announced a sit-in protest under the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) at Motbung in Kangpokpi district, along with a mass rally in Churachandpur district. Similar protests are planned across Kuki-Zo dominated areas.
Kuki Inpi Manipur said it would continue to monitor the situation and hold authorities “morally and administratively accountable” for ensuring the release of all remaining detainees.