Rio dials Shah, calls for release of all hostages

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 31 : Even as the whereabouts and fate of several Naga and Kuki individuals taken hostage on May 13 remain unknown, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged Union Home Amit Shah to intervene and secure their safe release.
While the Nagaland Chief Minister spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone on the hostage crisis on May 29, it is also learned that he has also urged a host of authorities, agencies including the Union Home Secretary and Director, Intelligence Bureau for "coordinate action" to rescue or secure the release of the hostages.
Six Naga hostages are believed to be in the custody of the Kukis, while the latter community has claimed 14 of their people are being held by the Naga community.
The individuals were taken hostage on May 13 after ambushes at Kangpokpi and Noney districts during the day claimed the lives of four and injured several others.
While no armed organisation has claimed responsibility, it is suspected that the attacks were carried out by Kuki militants.
The ambush at Kangpokpi killed three Thadou Church leaders and injured several others. Apex Thadou bodies including the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) have consistently accused armed Kuki militants of persecuting Thadou people and their leaders and undermining their identity to bring the community under the Kuki umbrella.
The other ambush on the day at Joujangtek, a Kuki village, killed a man belonging to the Chiru community and injured two others.
Following the incidents on the same day, a total of 18 Naga individuals, including a girl child and the six still believed to be in custody of Kukis, were detained and taken hostage at Leilon Vaiphei village. In a tit for tat action, the Nagas then detained several Kuki individuals.
Several of the hostages were later exchanged days after the incident. 12 out of the 18 Naga hostages were released during the exchange.
The 12 released were all female--some of them wives of six still believed to be in custody of the Kukis.
In a letter to NG Lohrii, president of the United Naga Council (UNC), Neiphiu Rio said the abduction of six Nagas has caused widespread concern and anguish among Nagas across the region, and intimated that the Government of Nagaland is taking up efforts to secure their release.
Rio informed the UNC president that he had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Amit Shah on May 29.
"During our discussion, I requested his [Amit Shah's] personal intervention and urged that all possible efforts be made by the Government of India to trace the abducted persons, bring the perpetrators to justice, and secure the release of the six abducted persons from the Kuki community at the earliest," Rio said in his letter.
Rio said the Union Home Minister assured him that "the matter would be accorded the highest priority and all necessary measures would be undertaken by the concerned agencies to trace the abducted persons, identify those responsible for the abduction, and ensure that the law takes its course."
The Nagaland CM further informed the UNC that he has also spoken to the Union Home Secretary and the Director, Intelligence Bureau, impressing upon them the urgency and sensitivity of the matter and requesting immediate and coordinated action by all concerned agencies. "Both have assured me that the matter is being actively pursued.
"I understand the anxiety and anguish being experienced by the families of the abducted persons and the wider Naga community. At this critical juncture, I would appeal to all concerned to exercise restraint and extend full cooperation towards efforts being undertaken for the safe recovery of the abducted persons and the maintenance of peace and harmony in the region," Rio said, expressing hope that "the constructive role being played by the United Naga Council" can help bring about a peaceful resolution.
"In this spirit, I earnestly appeal to the United Naga Council to prevail upon the Naga volunteers who are reportedly keeping fourteen Kuki individuals in their custody and facilitate their safe and unconditional release. At this critical juncture, it is imperative that we remain guided by the teachings of Christianity, the values of compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and the long-cherished Naga tradition of protecting innocent lives and upholding human dignity," Rio said.
The appeal of the Christian Forum, comprising Church leaders and faith-based organizations for immediate and unconditional release of all innocent persons held by any group resonates with "our shared Christian values and our collective responsibility to preserve peace, justice, and human dignity," Rio said, urging the UNC to lead in efforts aimed at securing the safe and early release of the six abducted Naga persons.
"The collective voice, wisdom, and cooperation of Naga civil society organizations, Church bodies, and community leaders will greatly strengthen ongoing efforts to resolve this matter peacefully, uphold communal harmony, and prevent any further escalation of tensions," Rio said.