Manipur: 14 Kuki hostages released almost after 27 days

Guwahati: Almost after 27 days 14 Kuki hostages were released on Tuesday. This is a major breakthrough in the prolonged Naga-Kuki hostage crisis in Manipur.

The release took place in presence of the Apex body of Nagas in Manipur United Naga Council (UNC) and district administration officials.

UNC president Ng Lorho said the decision followed consultations with various stakeholders and was guided by humanitarian considerations. "In consultation with all stakeholders, UNC facilitated the safe release of the 14 Kuki hostages and handed them over to the district administration, police and security forces before the public”


He said the move reflected the Naga community's commitment to humanitarian principles, human rights and established norms of conflict.

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Lorho, the UNC decided to facilitate the release after considering assurances from both the Union and Manipur governments regarding efforts to trace and establish the status of six missing Naga individuals, as well as appeals from church bodies, tribal organisations and civil society groups across the region.

Lorho also acknowledged appeals from the Council of Naga Baptist Churches, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, various Christian organisations, tribal hohos, civil society groups and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

He said the Manipur government had assured that efforts were underway to determine the status of the missing Nagas within a defined timeframe.

Vehicular movement remained blocked on the national highway in Manipur as both Kukis and Nagas have imposed a bandh and economic blockade over the issue of missing persons following the May 13 ambush in Manipur in which three church leaders belonging to the Thadou tribe were killed.

This caused tension between the Nagas and Kukis, leading to allegations of abduction and detention from both sides. According to the state home department, reports initially indicated that more than 38 persons had gone missing following the violence. However, authorities later stated that 32 individuals had since returned.

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UNC claimed that six people are still being held captive. Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) claimed 14 persons are missing from their community. Both communities have accused each other of holding their members captive.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio stated in X, “I welcome the safe and humane release of the Kuki hostages by the United Naga Council and Naga civil society organisations, in response to the appeal made by Church bodies led by the Baptist World Alliance. Over the past weeks, I had several interactions and deliberations with representatives of Naga civil society groups in our collective efforts to resolve the impasse on humanitarian grounds and in the true spirit of Christian values.”

Rio added, “I sincerely hope this development will contribute to restoring trust, healing divisions & paving the way for lasting peace in Manipur. We once again appeal for the safe release of the 6 Naga hostages in a reciprocal & humanitarian manner so that they return to their loved ones. We hope this gesture will help pave the way for trust, understanding & dialogue as we strive for genuine peace, reconciliation & harmony.”

Chief Minister of Manipur Yumnam Khemchand Singh welcomed the safe release of 14 hostages as a positive and humanitarian step.
Singh appreciated all individuals and stakeholders involved in facilitating the safe release of the Kuki hostages. The Chief Minister lauded the Naga society for their role in securing the safe release of the hostages and termed this act a spirit of compassion, responsibility, and concern for human life.
The Chief Minister also appealed to all sections of society to completely renounce all forms of violence. He stressed that the present crisis inflicts immense suffering on victims and their families and assured that strict legal action would be taken against those involved and that justice would be served.