28 hostages from either side released, fate of six Naga men not yet known
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2026: A total of 28 individuals who had been held hostage by both Kuki and Naga communities since May 13 were safely released last night and this morning and handed over to the respective police authorities in Senapati and Kangpokpi districts.

Even as 14 Kukis and 14 Nagas have been released, the hostage crisis continues, with the whereabouts of 14 Kukis and six Nagas still unknown.

According to reliable sources, 12 Naga women abducted by armed Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13 were released and handed over to Kangpokpi police and the Central armed forces.

28 hostages from either side released, fate of six Naga men not yet known

They were brought from Molnom Kuki village to Makhan Village around 5 am .

Additionally, two more Naga men, including one from Nagaland, who were abducted by Kukis from Sapermeina, were released this morning. However, six Naga individuals, including two Church leaders, remain in captivity.

The Naga individuals whose whereabouts are still unknown are Rev Dr Manu Thiumai (45) of Konsakhul, Phenrongwi Thiumai (43) of Konsakhul, Phenrilung Chawang (36) of Konsakhul, Kaliwangbou Abonmai (23) of Konsakhul, Pastor Kenpibou (28) of Juna and Dilip Thiumai (33) of Konsakhul, according to Khanuithot-Khon (Voice of the Naga Youth) .

The Naga community also released 14 Kukis, six from Ireng Naga village and another eight from Senapati district.

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), however, said that 14 Kuki individuals are yet to be released.

Our Senapai correspondent stated that there could be more hostages in Senapati.

The Government, through a press release issued by DIPR, stated that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining individuals, confirming that 28 hostages have been released.

Meanwhile, Khanuithot-Khon (Voice of the Naga Youth) has urged the Central and State Governments to ensure that those holding the six Naga men provide a video call, video recording, or any verifiable evidence confirming that the men are alive and unharmed.

In a statement, it demanded immediate proof of life, emphasising that silence is unacceptable.

It also called for the immediate release of the six remaining Naga hostages, including two ordained ministers of the Gospel.

The group stressed that innocent civilians must not be drawn into ethnic conflicts instigated by armed militants.

It further stated that designated camps of SoO groups must not be used as sites for holding hostages.

Khanuithot-Khon demanded that the SoO agreement be abrogated and that those responsible for the abductions be held accountable immediately.

The group also urged the Government to deploy adequate security to prevent further abductions in the Kangpokpi-Senapati corridor.

A sit-in protest was held at Makhan Gate no 2, demanding the release of six Naga men currently in the custody of Kuki groups.

One of the protesters stated that 20 Naga individuals were abducted by Kuki groups following the ambush in Kangpokpi on May 13 .

She added that while 14 hostages have been released, the whereabouts of six remain unknown.

She further said that they fear the six may no longer be alive.

She said that they at least want their bodies recovered if they are dead, or the hostages rescued if they are still alive.

NDTV, on the other hand, reported that 31 out of the 38 people belonging to different communities, who were taken hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts after the recent violence, have been released.

This came amid continued efforts by the Manipuri Government and security agencies to secure the release of the civilians.

The armed groups had taken the civilians hostage after suspected terrorists shot dead three Church leaders and injured four others in Kangpokpi on May 13.A civilian was also shot down in Noney.

Among the released hostages were 12 women, including a two year old child belonging to the Naga community.

They were released at Makhan village, officials said.

Four men and ten women of the Kuki community, who were held in captivity in the Senapati district, were handed over to security forces.

Two Salesian brothers of Don Bosco, including one from Nagaland, were also released by armed groups at separate locations.

On Thursday evening, three persons, including an 18-year-old woman, belonging to the Kuki community, were handed over to police in Senapati district.

According to one of the hostages' accounts, they were blindfolded and repeatedly taken through mountainous and forested areas, moved from one location to another under armed escort.

Their hands were initially tied behind their backs while being forced to walk through difficult terrain.

They stated that although their hands were later untied, they remained blindfolded for most of the period they were held captive.

"No one assaulted us," the released hostage said.

Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam had on Thursday said the Government was actively holding discussions with civil society groups and political leaders to secure the release of these people.

People from the Kuki and Naga communities also held separate sit-ins in the Kangpokpi district to protest against the alleged abductions.