Bodies of 6 Naga men found in Manipur; Naga body calls for halt, demands removal of Deputy CM

People gather during a protest to demand the release of Naga men in Kangpokpi district of Imphal, Manipur, May 25, 2026. | Photo credit: Reuters

The bodies of six Naga men, who were allegedly abducted by armed Kuki groups on May 13 and remained missing since then, were recovered by police in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday (June 10, 2026), police said.

Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh told The Hindu that after almost 24 hours of hectic efforts, about 15 teams of Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) managed to find the mortal remains of the six missing men. “The legal formalities are being completed,” Mr Singh said.

Police said in a statement that the deceased is believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Nagas in Manipur, called a 24-hour shutdown in Naga areas and demanded the removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.

The UNC said Ms Kipgen is the wife of Semtinthang Kipgen, the president of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), a Kuki insurgent group in a suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with the government and is suspected of complicity in the killing of Naga civilians, the organization said. The Naga body also accused the people of Leilon Vaiphei village of kidnapping the individuals.

Six men, including two pastors, and their family members were kidnapped on May 13 after three church leaders from the Thadou tribe were killed in an ambush that day in Kangpokpi. Twelve people, including women and children, were later released. At least 44 civilians were reportedly taken hostage by Kuki and Naga groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. While several of the abductees were released earlier, 14 members of the Kuki community who remained captive were released on Tuesday and the bodies of the six missing Naga men were recovered by security forces on Wednesday.

Damaged condition: UNC

UNC claimed the bodies were mutilated and refused to accept the bodies until demands were met. “This tragedy has caused immense pain to the families and the entire Naga people. It has shaken the citizens’ faith in the government’s ability to ensure the safety and security of innocent civilians. We see this as a direct challenge to the collective identity and security of the Naga people,” the UNC said, demanding the cancellation of the SoO agreement with all Kuki insurgent groups.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who along with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and church authorities earlier in the day secured the release of 14 Kuki men held hostage by Naga armed groups in Senapati since May 13, said the “senseless act of violence is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable”.

“What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that it occurred despite the goodwill and sincere efforts made by UNC to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful engagement. A gesture meant to build trust and foster understanding was instead met with violence, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and immense suffering to their families and communities,” said Mr. Sangma.

He added that lasting peace can only be built through mutual respect, dialogue and a commitment to resolving disagreements through peaceful means, not violence.

Published – 10 Jun 2026 22:44 IST