Women protested in the Naga-populated Senapati district of Manipur on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of six hostages allegedly held by Kuki militants over the past eight days.
The protest was organized by the Kupuru Range Naga Women’s Union and civil society organizations in Kanglatongbe and surrounding villages in Tribal Market, New Chikun and Imphal East.
Slogans such as “Let us speak louder than guns,” “No to kidnapping and violence,” “Protect innocent lives,” “Human rights for every community,” and “We stand for peace and justice” were raised.
The banners read: “Innocent Naga civilians are being held hostage by Kuki militants.” Another banner read: “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the other six innocent hostages kidnapped by Kuki militants in Lilon Faifi Kuki village, Kangpokpi district, Manipur.”
The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the community, demanded the safe release of the hostages or the handing over of their remains if they were killed.
The hostage crisis began on May 13 after unidentified assailants killed four civilians, including three church leaders, in two separate incidents in Kangbukpi and Nonni districts. Among the deceased were three leaders of the Thado Baptist Association and a Naga man.
Following the incident, Manipur Home Minister Govindas Kunthujam said that members of the Kuki and Naga communities were detained by members of the opposite communities. 28 individuals, 14 from each community, were released on May 15.
The UN Command claimed that six Naga civilians (all male) were still being held hostage by Kuki militants.
“The May 13, 2026 ambush of Thado church leaders between Kotlin and Kotzim, and the kidnapping of 18 Naga civilians in the village of Lilon Fife and two Salesians in Sabarmina, strongly indicate deliberate attacks. To cover up their crimes and divert public attention, they blamed the Naga and killed an innocent Chiru Naga civilian that same day,” the UN Command said in a statement.
She added: “If they are alive, they must be released unconditionally and without delay. If they are killed, their remains must be immediately handed over to their families so that they can be buried in a dignified Christian manner in accordance with their faith and traditions.”
According to the UN Command, on 13 May, 18 Naga civilians were kidnapped in Lilon Faife, a Kuki village, and in a separate incident two Salesian brothers were also kidnapped in Sabarmina village of Sabarmina Police Station.
Read also:Manipur Hostage Crisis: Lockdowns and blockades continue to disrupt normal life
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, a civic body of the Liangmai Naga, submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah through Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju.
Through the memorandum, the Council accused the Kuki National Front (KNF-P) faction of kidnapping Naga civilians. It further stated that the KNF-P faction is an armed group operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and is affiliated with the United Popular Front (UPF).
“The incident occurred within the area of operations of the KNF-P faction under the command of Thangboe Kipgen, president of the UPF/KNF(P), and husband of Deputy Prime Minister Nimcha Kipgen,” the statement said.
However, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki and civil society organizations across the district, extended the complete lockdown by another 48 hours from midnight on May 19.
Kim said in a statement issued on Tuesday, “The decision comes in light of the government’s continued inaction and failure to address the legitimate concerns and demands presented to it, as well as the absence of any tangible positive development on the ground.”
KIM claimed that 14 Kuki personnel were still being held hostage by Naga militants.
A senior Assam Rifle officer requesting anonymity told HT: “Rescue and search operations are still ongoing in the vulnerable areas and I am confident that the hostages are still alive.”
A statement issued by Manipur Police said: “Security forces continue combing and search operations to rescue missing persons in the hill ranges surrounding Lilon Phifei village, Songton village, Khonkhu village and B-Molding village in Kangbukpi district.”
