Manipur hostage release deferred over 'sentiment'

Guwahati: Manipur's hostage crisis is getting complicated, with United Naga Council (UNC) changing its plan to release 14 Kukis held hostage unless the six Naga civilians, allegedly held captive by Kuki groups, are released. UNC in a statement said the plan was "cancelled", citing "prevailing sentiment of the Naga public". A crowd had tried to storm UNC's office on Monday.

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

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma and Nagaland CM have urged the leaders of Naga and Kuki communities to immediately release all the hostages.