Uncertainty hangs over abducted men, tensions run high
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 16 2026: Hostage crisis in Manipur worsens as the whereabouts of six Naga men abducted from Leilon Vaiphei in Kangpokpi on May 13 remain unknown.

Notably, the United Naga Council (UNC) had issued an ultimatum to the Government to produce them by 2 pm today, yet they remain traceless.

Meanwhile, the deadline set by the United Naga Council (UNC) for tracing the missing six Naga individuals and apprehending those responsible for the abduction has been extended till 6 pm of May 17 .

Uncertainty hangs over abducted men, tensions run high

The UNC extended the deadline after it received a letter from the Home Department which informed that "extensive search and area domination operations, including cordon and search operations are being carried out by security forces in coordination with the district administration and police authorities for tracing the missing persons and apprehending those responsible for the incident" .

The UNC said that it will not be responsible for any untoward incidents which may surface after the extended deadline.

Protesting the detention of six civilians, people of different communities including the Meiteis and the Nagas blocked the Imphal-Dimapur road at Kanglatongbi today.

The protest, organised under the aegis of the Koubru Range Naga Women's Union (KRNWU), featured placards with messages such as "Kidnapping is not justice", "Humanity above hatred", "We demand safe release", "No to abduction and violence", "Violence divides Manipur", "No community should live in fear", and "Justice, Peace & Human Dignity" among others.

At the protest site, social activist Ashang Kashar asserted that the Government's failure to trace and rescue the hostages reveals that it does not regard civilians as human.

The Government must admit if it is unable to ensure the safety of civilians, he said and added that empty rhetoric about peace will not bring any changes.

He also said that deploying large numbers of Central security forces in the State is pointless if they are unable to safeguard the people.

They should be withdrawn if they cannot protect lives, he said, expressing his frustration with the Central forces.

He stated that abducting civilians is not human behaviour but an act of terrorism.

The Government has emboldened the Kuki narco-terrorists by not taking action against them, Kashar said.

Saying that the abduction took place in a small village, he accused the Government of siding with terrorists.

Why didn't the Government use the Central forces to rescue the Naga civilians, he asked.

Stating that the primary responsibility of the Government is to protect the lives and property of the people, he added that the Government's failure to rescue the hostages is deeply embarrassing.

Security personnel often arrest people for trivial matters but fail to take any action against those who terrorise the public, he asserted.

Convenor of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) YK Dhiren, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) working president Khuraijam Athouba also took part in the protest.

Dhiren said that attacks on indigenous people by terrorists continue unabated, condemning the security forces for failing to protect the people.

Athouba, on the other hand, stated that Kuki narco-terrorists from Myanmar have been waging a war on the people of Manipur since May 3, 2023 .

He added that the attacks on the Nagas are part of the violent campaign by these Kuki narco-terrorists, which began over three years back.

Saying that the Kuki narcoterrorists have a powerful backing, Athouba added that the force behind them must be identified.

The current State Government is incompetent, he said and added that it is time for the people to protect themselves.

He also said that people must safeguard Manipur under one demand, one voice.

KRNWU co-convenor Wiriangjinliu Chawangna asked why the Government has still not taken action against the Kuki narco-terrorists who have been attacking the Meiteis and Nagas.

She said that their violent campaign, which initially targeted the Meiteis, is now affecting the Nagas as well.

The site from which the civilians were abducted is close to the camp of the 57th Mountain Division, she said, questioning why the authorities were unable to prevent the crime.

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.