14 Kuki civilians held hostage by Naga groups released

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 an intervention by church bodies and other civil society groups, officials said.

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

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

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

Heeding sentiments

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

On Tuesday, UNC President Ng Lorho said that the “detainees” were released considering the commitment made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah through Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio assuring that the government will put in all efforts to establish the status of the six missing Nagas. He thanked various church and tribal bodies and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

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

The Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Meghalaya had earlier appealed for the release of the abducted individuals.

Nagaland CM welcomes move

On Tuesday, Mr. Rio said that he welcomes the safe and humane release of the Kuki hostages by the United Naga Council and Naga civil society organisations, in response to the appeal made by church bodies led by the Baptist World Alliance.

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

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

Mr. Sangma said in a statement, “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 Northeast.”

He said he was renewing his appeal to all Kuki civil society organisations, community leaders, and concerned groups to reciprocate this noble gesture by ensuring 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 a defunct peace committee constituted in 2023, said that the release of Kuki civilians marks the beginning of peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and brotherhood among the communities.

Police statement

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

“Adequate security arrangements were put in place, and the route was properly secured to ensure their safe and expeditious transportation to Taphou Kuki village. Thereafter, the individuals were handed over to the chief of Taphou Kuki village through a duly executed handing-over/taking-over 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 violence erupted in the State and a new dimension involving the Naga-Kuki conflict has emerged since February 7 this year.