14 Kuki civilians held hostage by Naga groups released

14 Kuki persons were formally released and the individuals were handed over to the police in Senapati district, Manipur. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Nearly a month after they were held hostage by Naga armed groups in Manipur’s Senapati district, 14 Kukis were released on Tuesday (June 9, 2026) following the intervention of church authorities and other civil society groups, officials said.

Manipur Director General of Police Mukesh Singh told The Hindu that 14 Kukis were released and reached their homes in Taphou village of Senapati.

At least 44 civilians were held hostage by Kuki and Naga groups in Manipur’s Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following the killing of three church leaders belonging to the Thadou tribe who were ambushed by armed groups on May 13. No arrests have yet been made for the murder of the three church leaders.

While the others were released, 14 Kukis remained in captivity till Tuesday and six Naga men are still missing.

Notice the feelings

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Nagas in Manipur, had earlier announced that the 14 men would be released on June 1, but later said that due to the “prevailing sentiments of the Naga public”, the release was being cancelled.

On Tuesday, UNC president Ng Lorho said the “detainees” were released in view of the commitment made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah through Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio that the government would make every effort to determine the status of the six missing Nagas. He thanked various church and tribal bodies and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

“Today, UNC, after consultation with all stakeholders, allowed the release of all 14 Kuki detainees and handed them over to the local administration,” Lorho said.

The chief ministers of Nagaland and Meghalaya had earlier called for the release of the abductees.

Nagaland CM welcomes the move

On Tuesday, Mr. Rio said he welcomed the safe and humane release of the Kuki hostages by the United Naga Council and Naga civil society organizations in response to a call by church authorities led by the Baptist World Alliance.

“Over the past few weeks, I have had several interactions and discussions with representatives of Naga civil society groups in our joint efforts to resolve the impasse on humanitarian grounds and in the true spirit of Christian values,” Mr. Rio told X.

“We again call for the safe release of the 6 Naga hostages in a reciprocal and humanitarian manner to return to their loved ones. We hope this gesture will help pave the way for trust, understanding and dialogue as we strive for true peace, reconciliation and harmony,” he further said on social media.

In a statement, Mr Sangma said: “At a time when emotions run high and communities continue to bear the scars of conflict, the decision to place humanity above differences sends a powerful message of hope to the people of Manipur and the wider North East.”

He said he was renewing his appeal to all Kuki civil society organizations, community leaders and affected groups to reciprocate this noble gesture by securing the immediate and unconditional release of the six Naga civilians.

Wilubou Newmai, a Naga leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who was also part of the defunct peace committee formed in 2023, said the release of the Kuki civilians marked the beginning of peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and brotherhood between the communities.

Police statement

Manipur Police said in a statement that the 14 Kuki individuals were formally released after due procedures. The individuals were handed over to the Senapati Police and the district administration by civil society organizations of the Senapati district.

“Adequate security measures were put in place and the route was properly secured to ensure their safe and speedy transportation to Taphou Kuki village. The individuals were then handed over to the Taphou Kuki village chief through a duly executed handover/receipt memorandum,” police said.

Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo people erupted in the state on May 3, 2023. More than 260 people have been killed since the outbreak of violence in the state and a new dimension involving the Naga-Kuki conflict has emerged since February 7 this year.

Published – 09 Jun 2026 22:21 IST