14 Kuki detainees released; fate of 6 Naga men unclear

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 9: Even as the fate of six Naga hostages remains unknown with each passing day bringing more and more agony to family members, 14 Kuki detainees were reunited with their families in an emotionally charged homecoming ceremony in Kangpokpi district today. All 14 Kuki detainees who have been in the custody of Naga Village Guard, Northern Command since May 13 were released today.
The whereabouts of the six Naga men who were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village on May 13 still remain unknown.
Civil society organisations of Senapati district handed over the 14 Kuki detainees to Senapati Police and District Administration, Senapati at around 4 pm today.
Upon receiving the detainees from the CSOs, police and district administration promptly completed all necessary formalities, including proper verification and medical examination of all the individuals, sources said.
The Kuki detainees were then transported to Taphou Kuki village with adequate security arrangements and after the route was properly secured to ensure their safe and expeditious movement.
The individuals were handed over to the chief of Taphou Kuki village through a duly executed handing-over/taking-over memorandum.
According to the sources, the entire process was conducted peacefully and in a coordinated manner with the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen issued a message of gratitude, thanking the Union Home Minister, the Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Meghalaya, security forces, Naga civil society organisations, the Baptist World Alliance and all individuals and groups whose humanitarian interventions helped secure the safe release of the detainees.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) also conveyed its appreciation to the Central and Manipur Governments, the Director General of Police, Assam Rifles, the United Naga Council, the Naga Students' Federation and various civil society organisations whose coordinated efforts culminated in the release of the hostages.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) welcomed the release as a moment of immense relief for the affected families and the wider Kuki-Zo community.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) also expressed profound gratitude to the Government of India, the Governments of Nagaland and Manipur, Church leaders and all stakeholders whose interventions led to the safe release of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians who had been held hostage in Senapati for nearly a month.
The committee thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Loshi Dikho.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) said that they (UNC) and the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) intervened for the safe release of the 14 Kuki detainees who were under the custody of the Naga Village Guard,  Northern Command after consulting with all stakeholders.
The UNC said that they intervened for the safe release of the 14 Kuki detainees acting on the appeals made by the Baptist world community, Naga Churches, tribes and organisations; assurance given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, appeal made by the Government of Manipur and the appeal made by National People’s Party (NPP) president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio.
According to a statement issued by the UNC, Amit Shah assured Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio that the Ministry of Home Affairs will trace the abducted Naga persons, identify those responsible for the abduction and ensure that the law takes its course.
The Government of Manipur appealed for the safe release of the detained individuals with the assurance to intensify the ongoing combing operations to establish the status of the missing hostages and produce them at the earliest, to track down and arrest all the perpetrators and to strictly enforce the SoO ground rules including rationalisation and relocation of camps.
Even as due arrangement was made for the unconditional release of the 14 Kuki detainees at 2 pm on June 1, 2026 in the presence of Naga civil societies, the release was cancelled for the day considering the strong public sentiments and voice for more extensive consultation on the matter.
The UNC held an emergency presidential council meeting on June 6 where representatives of the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and the Naga Women’s Union were present.
After minute deliberation, the meeting unanimously agreed to release 14 Kuki detainees, it said.
On June 7, the Government of Manipur informed that they are “.... fully committed to take up all possible efforts to trace out/find out the status of the missing/abducted persons, confirm their exact status and hand over within the next 48 hours....”, the UNC said.
The UNC intervened for the safe release of the 14 Kuki detainees following these appeals and assurances and the detainees were released at 4 pm today.