UNC punctures KIM's concocted tales
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 19 2026:
Puncturing Kuki Inpi Manipur's claim of release of all Naga hostages, the United Naga Council (UNC) has released a statement detailing the incident of May 13 and proof that 18 individuals were indeed abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village and all were released except six men.
Dilip Thiumai, one of the remaining hostages, was travelling along with his wife and daughter when they were detained and abducted on May 13 .
His wife and daughter were among those recently released.
Rev Dr Manu Thiumai, Phenrilung Chawang, Pastor Kenpibou, Phenroungwi Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai and Kaliwangbou Abonmai are six still missing.
The detail of the abduction of 18 including six remaining hostages as provided by the UNC is reproduced below: 1) At the time of the abduction, Rev Dr Manu Thiumai was travelling towards Leimakhong in a Verna car bearing registration number MN05A-7501 along with his wife Kachiaklungliu Thiumai, his elder sister Chonmila, and family friends Leishiwon Lama and Rosy Lama.
2) Phenrilung Chawang was travelling in an Auto Rickshaw bearing registration number AS11CC-7414 along with his wife Wibonliu Chawang and relatives namely Chalun-kingliu Chawang, Pawang- bonliu Thiumai, Lungrailiu Bariam, Widimliu Thiumai and Dingamliu Abonmai.
3) Pastor Kenpibou was travelling towards Leima-khong on a Pulsar motor- cycle bearing registration number AS04W-5917 along with Phenroungwi Thiumai.
4) Dilip Thiumai was travelling towards Konsa-khul village on a scooty bearing registration number MN06SH-3096 along with his wife Winiliu Thiumai and their minor daughter.
5) Kaliwangbou Abon-mai was travelling alone towards Konsakhul village in an Auto Rickshaw bearing registration number MN01Y-3570 .
The victims were travelling in 5 separate vehicles towards Leimakhong and to their respective destinations when they were intercepted and abducted by Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei village in "collusion" with Lalboi, chief of Leilon Vaiphei, said UNC .
Out of the 18 hostages, 12 females including the minor girl, were released on May 14 .
However, the whereabouts and safety of the remaining six male hostages remain unknown till date, said the UNC.
The UNC further said the last phone call made to Rev Dr Manu Thiumai was at about 10.50 hrs, after which his phone went off.
It is "unbelievable" that in presence of all the facts and living witness and the material when 18 innocent Naga civilians were taken hostage, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has brazenly claimed that they have no knowledge of the six male hostages, said the UNC .
The entire incident was witnessed by surviving victims and co-passengers.
They witnessed the six being violently dragged out of the vehicles in front of their wives, children and fellow civilians.
KIM's denial despite overwhelming eyewitness accounts is not merely suspicious but a deliberate attempt to shield the perpetrators and cover up the truth.
KIM's statement has exposed its own contradictions, deception and moral bankruptcy, said the UNC .
"Instead of standing for justice and humanity, KIM has chosen propaganda through calculated misinformation.
Such conduct confirms complicity in the hostage taking and the ambush of Thadou Christian leaders on May 13," UNC said.
No responsible organization representing a community and advocating Christian values should distort indisputable facts while innocent fellow human beings are being perilously held hostage or at the worst already killed in cold blood, it said.
The May 13 ambush on Thadou Church leaders in between Kotlen and Kotzim and abduction of 18 Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei village and 2 Salesians at Sapermeina are strongly indicative of premeditated attacks, UNC added.
"KIM must immediately reveal the whereabouts and condition of the 6 hostages.
If they are alive, they must be released unconditionally and without delay.
If they have been killed, their mortal remains must be handed over immediately to their families so that they may be given a dignified Christian burial according to their faith and traditions.
Denial cannot erase reality and lies cannot bury the truth," UNC said.
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