Steps on to secure release of all hostages : Govindas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 14 2026: Home Minister Govindas Konthou-jam has stated that the Government is working to secure the release of more than 38 Naga and Kuki individuals who have been taken hostage by various groups following the ambush in Kangpokpi that killed three Thadou Church leaders.

Today, Govindas, along with several MLAs including Dinganglung Gangmei, Awangbow Newmai, SS Olish, Janghemlung Panmei and Khasim Vashum, visited the mortuary at JNIMS Hospital, where the mortal remains of Wilson Thanga are kept.

They met with the family members of Wilson.

AICC Congress Working Committee member Gaikha-ngam also visited the family of the deceased at JNIMS.

Steps on to secure release of all hostages : Govindas

Wilson (56), a resident of Dolang village in Noney, was killed in an ambush at Joujangtek in Noney while returning from Imphal in a Mahindra Bolero when unidentified assailants opened fire.

Two other individuals were also injured in the attack.

On the sidelines of his visit, Govindas stated that the Government is communicating with political leaders and civil society organisations to facilitate the release of the detained individuals.

He also said that the Union Home Ministry is closely monitoring the situation in the State.

Saying that the Government does not have the capacity to deploy Central and State forces in every village, he added that resolving the crisis in Manipur will not be possible without the support of the people.

How can people live together if they behave like wild animals and perpetuate the cycle of violence and killing ?, he asked, adding that communities in conflict need to take a step back.

Awangbow Newmai said that no efforts can restore normalcy in the State unless the people themselves actively work towards peace.

Violence won't bring any solution, the Naga MLA said.

The Government has been working to restore normalcy but cooperation from the public is even more important, he said, emphasising that deployment of security forces alone won't solve the problem.

Whatever the reasons, taking people hostage is wrong, he added.

Saying that one crisis will follow another if communities continue to target each other, he appealed to all to reject violence.

Meanwhile, SS Neichung, president of the Chiru Union, urged the Government to track down the assailants responsible for the killing of Wilson Chiru and the wounding of two others in Joujangtek area yesterday, and to provide adequate compensation to the family of the deceased.