Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho. File. | Photo credit: ANI
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho said on Thursday (May 14, 2026) that negotiations are underway to secure the release of at least 44 civilians held hostage by Kuki and Naga groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. The abductees include an infant and two Naga Catholic priests, said Mr. Dikho, who is conducting negotiations on behalf of the state government. The civilians were abducted after the killing of three Thada church leaders in Kangpokpi district on May 13.
Speaking to The Hindu, the Deputy Chief Minister said the killing of church leaders returning from a religious convention in Churachandpur was “unprecedented” as such attacks had not occurred even at the height of previous conflicts. A section of the Thadous claim to be distinct from the Kuki group of tribes.
“No group has claimed responsibility”
“Their vehicles had name tags clearly visible saying they were from the church. Leaders who were working for peace were attacked; this is unfortunate. In all the conflicts so far, church leaders have never been attacked,” Mr Dikho said. He further said that none of the militant groups claimed responsibility for the killings and the incident was reported just two days before Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh’s proposed visit to Churachandpur, Kuki-Zomi area.
Among the 18 missing Nagas, there are 11 women, six men and an infant, the Deputy CM said, adding that seven of them have not been traced so far. There are 28 Kuki hostages and two of them, including a minor girl and a drug addict, have been released by Naga groups, he said.
“We have been trying to find an amicable solution and while talks with the Kuki and Naga groups were going on till Thursday, we have not been able to reach a conclusion. At least 11 Nagas are present in the camp of the Kuki SoO (a rebel group in a cease-fire pact with the government), but the whereabouts of seven others are not yet known. This has led to the release of all the Naga hostages. The Popular Front, an alliance partner of the ruling Bharatiya Party Janata Party (BJP).
Since April 7, Manipur has witnessed 15 killings, including two of children in Bishnupur. The killings continue even as Ukhrul, a Naga-dominated district, has seen fresh conflict between Tangkhul Nagas and Kukis.
More than 260 people were killed in ethnic violence that broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in 2023 and is now gradually spreading to include tensions between Nagas and Kuki-Zo groups.
Two security officials said a faction of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), a Naga rebel group, is the main suspect in the attack on the church leaders, but all other angles are being investigated. In a statement, the group denied involvement in the attack.
Published – May 15, 2026 0:04 AM IST
