Hostage crisis, NH blockades deepen Kuki-Naga tensions in Manipur

A deadly ambush in Manipur's hill districts was followed by abductions involving Kuki and Naga communities. The violence triggered blockades, protests and appeals for the release of all hostages.

In Short

• More than 38 civilians were abducted from Kangpokpi and Senapati districts
• Thirty-one people were released, but six Naga men remain missing
• Kuki Inpi Manipur said 14 Kuki civilians are still hostages

Fresh tensions have erupted in Manipur as the state’s ongoing ethnic conflict expanded to involve Kuki and Naga communities following a deadly ambush and a wave of abductions in the hill districts.

The violence began on May 13 when unidentified armed assailants killed three church leaders and a civilian in separate attacks between the Kotzin and Kotlen areas and at Joujangtek village in Noney district. The incident triggered retaliatory allegations and a series of abductions involving armed groups linked to Kuki and Naga communities.

Officials said more than 38 civilians were abducted from Kangpokpi and Senapati districts within hours of the ambush. The abductees included members of both the Kuki and Liangmai Naga communities.

Authorities said 31 people have since been released, including 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village, 16 Kuki civilians from Kangpokpi district and two Salesian brothers. However, six Naga men remain missing and are feared to still be in captivity.

At the same time, Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body representing Kuki tribes in the state, claimed that 14 Kuki civilians continue to be held hostage by Naga groups.

Civil society organisations from both sides have appealed for the immediate release of all hostages “alive or dead” and urged armed groups to hand them over to authorities and family members without delay.

BLOCKADES DISRUPT KEY HIGHWAYS

The latest violence has sharply escalated tensions across Manipur’s hill districts, triggering economic blockades and major transport disruptions along key highways.

Kuki Inpi Manipur imposed a total shutdown along national highways following the ambush and abductions. In response, the United Naga Council (UNC) announced an inter-district economic blockade from May 17.

Hundreds of trucks, passenger buses and other vehicles have since remained stranded along National Highway-2 (NH-2), causing severe hardship for transporters, drivers and commuters.

CHIEF MINISTER APPEALS FOR CALM

Amid the worsening situation, Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh appealed to the public to avoid enforcing bandhs and blockades.

Speaking during the inauguration of a bridge at Akham Makha Leikai in Imphal West district on Friday, Singh said such protests mainly hurt ordinary citizens and daily wage earners.

“Bandhs and blockades imposed out of anger against the government only lead to hardship for the people,” he said, urging all sides to pursue dialogue and mutual understanding.

MEITEI, NAGA GROUPS HOLD JOINT PROTEST

Tensions intensified further on Friday after several valley-based Meitei and Naga civil society organisations staged a solidarity protest at Kanglatongbi in Imphal West district, demanding the immediate rescue and safe return of the six missing civilians allegedly held by Kuki militants.

The demonstration, organised under the banner of the Joint CSOs of Manipur, condemned what protesters described as “targeted aggression” against indigenous communities. The groups also submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding action within three days.

The memorandum warned that the government would be held responsible if the hostages were not rescued or were found dead. Protesters also sought strict legal action against those allegedly involved in the abductions and against individuals accused of aiding the attackers.

Among their demands were the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the KNF(P), intensified security operations in suspected militant strongholds, and the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen on moral grounds.

Speaking to reporters during the protest, Jurist Abonmai, president of the Makhan-Kanglatongbi Naga Forum, described the incident as a “pre-planned ambush and kidnapping” and accused Kuki militants of targeting indigenous communities.

The participation of both Meitei and Naga civil society groups in the protest reflected growing concern over deteriorating security and deepening ethnic tensions in conflict-hit Manipur.

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