Release of Hostages in Manipur Amid Ongoing Tensions
Hostage Situation in Manipur
These people were taken to unknown areas after suspected militants shot dead three church leaders and injured four others in Kangpokpi on Wednesday.
Imphal, May 15: Police reported on Friday that 31 out of 38 individuals from various communities, who were taken hostage during recent violence in the Kangpokpi and Senapati districts of Manipur, have been freed.
On Friday morning, twelve Naga women from Konsakhul village were released at Makhan village after being allegedly held by armed Kuki militants. However, six Naga men remain unaccounted for, according to police.
Home Minister K. Govindas Konthoujam stated that over 38 individuals were abducted from different locations in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on Wednesday afternoon amid rising tensions and violent clashes.
Officials confirmed that two Salesian brothers from Don Bosco, including one from Nagaland, were released separately by armed Kuki groups.
One of the released women shared her harrowing experience with central security officials, detailing the trauma she and the other captives faced during their time in captivity.
She recounted being blindfolded and moved through mountainous and forested areas under armed guard, with their hands initially bound behind their backs as they navigated difficult terrain.
Although their hands were later freed, they remained blindfolded for most of their captivity, even having to eat while unable to see, she reported.
Despite the fear and harsh conditions, she noted that they were not physically harmed during their detention.
In a separate incident, 14 Kuki individuals, including four men and ten women, who were reportedly held in Senapati district, were handed over to security forces late Thursday night.
Earlier that evening, three additional individuals, including an 18-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man from the Kuki community, were released to state police by local youth group volunteers. A Meitei individual married to a tribal woman was also released earlier.
The Naga Village Guard, Northern Command, stated that a woman hostage was released on humanitarian grounds due to her age and gender, following requests from civil society organizations in Senapati district. They also confirmed that a Meitei individual was handed over to police after verifying his identity.
They emphasized that no individuals from the Zomi community were detained within the Senapati jurisdiction.
Emotional reunions took place as families embraced their loved ones after days of uncertainty following the release of the detained individuals.
Meanwhile, Kuki organizations, including the Taphou Kuki Village Authority, claimed that 23 villagers from Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district were still being held hostage by Naga groups.
The Senapati-based Tahazam Youth Forum took responsibility for detaining several villagers from Taphou Kuki village, describing it as retaliation for the alleged abduction of 18 Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
The United Naga Council (UNC) has urged Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to ensure the release of all remaining hostages by 6 pm on Friday, while Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) issued a similar demand for the release of all captives by 5 pm.