Protesters demanding the release of Kuki hostages and justice for three slain church leaders in Manipur’s Kangpokpi on May 16, 2026. Photo: SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Thousands of Kuki-Zo people took to the streets in Manipur’s Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts on Saturday (May 16, 2026) demanding the unconditional release of Kuki hostages and justice for three church leaders killed in a May 13 ambush by extremists.
In a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, several Kuki civil society groups called for the re-imposition of President’s rule in the state.
The protest rallies coincided with the extension of a 48-hour total shutdown called by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kukis in the state, amid outrage over the continued “targeted persecution” of the community.
“Release the hostages unconditionally”
According to Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, more than 38 people from the Kuki and Naga tribes were held captive by various groups after the killing of three church leaders. Security forces and community organizations helped secure the release of 28 hostages on Friday.
Unconfirmed reports said another 10 hostages were released on Saturday, but Kuki-Zo groups said 14 community members remained in captivity.
Protesters at the rally organized by the Tribal Unity Committee demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all Kuki-Zo hostages and the “expedited implementation of the charter of demands” submitted to the Union government.
‘terrorist act’
These demands include an investigation into the killing of church leaders by the National Investigation Agency, a permanent security guarantee for Kuki-Zo civilians and vulnerable villages, the establishment of special security zones in conflict-prone areas, and expedited political engagement with Kuki-Zomi extremist groups under a pact to suspend operations.
“The continued capture of innocent civilians was not only illegal detention, but an act of terror against the people,” said President KIM Ch. Ajang Khongsai told the gathering.
Communication to the Minister of the Interior
During a “mass rally for justice” in Churachandpur, the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights (KWOHR) and other civil society groups presented Mr. Shah with a memorandum condemning the killing of three Kuki-Zo religious leaders and raising concerns about continued violence in the region.
KWOHR claimed that the ongoing violence was linked to “proxy attacks” carried out against the Kuki-Zo people and expressed concern over repeated incidents of violence, displacement and insecurity in the region.
KWOHR called for the re-imposition of President’s rule in Manipur, increased security deployment in the Kuki-Zo areas, high-level investigations into the killings and related incidents of violence, and the fulfillment of the long-standing demand for self-governance for the Kuki-Zo people under the Constitution of India.
Published – 16 May 2026 21:16 IST
