Fourteen Kuki individuals who had been held hostage for nearly a month were released on Tuesday at Senapati district headquarters in Manipur, in a development facilitated by the United Naga Council (UNC) and other civil society organisations based in Senapati district.
According to PTI, all 14 abductees were released safely in the presence of police and security personnel.
The release comes amid efforts by community organisations, church bodies, and governments to resolve a hostage crisis that began in May following fresh violence in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.
UNC president Ng Lorho said the hostages were released after appeals from the Central and state governments, church organisations, and apex tribal bodies.
“Nagas are cultured people. We respect human rights. We also took into consideration the assurances made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio that the missing six Nagas would be traced,” Lorho was quoted as saying by PTI.
The hostage crisis followed the killing of three church leaders and injuries to four others in Kangpokpi district, which triggered renewed tensions in the violence-hit state. In the aftermath, more than 50 people were reportedly abducted and held hostage.
Prior to Tuesday’s release, 31 hostages had already been freed, including 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village and 16 Kuki individuals from Kangpokpi district. Two Salesian brothers were also released.
However, six Naga men remain unaccounted for, and their whereabouts have yet to be established.
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh welcomed the release of the hostages, describing it as a positive humanitarian gesture. He appealed for the renunciation of violence and praised Naga civil society for facilitating the release.
“The act reflects a spirit of compassion, responsibility, and concern for human life,” the Chief Minister said.
He also assured that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for crimes committed during the ongoing conflict.
The development comes against the backdrop of the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, a conflict that has continued to affect large parts of the state and displaced thousands of people.