UNC calls off plans to free 14 Kuki hostages amid pressure

Imphal: The planned release of 14 Kuki detainees reportedly held under the custody of the Naga Village Guard (Northern Command) was cancelled on Monday.

The move was called off after Naga groups intensified pressure on the United Naga Council (UNC) as six Naga civilians, allegedly abducted by Kuki groups on May 13, remained untraceable.

The development comes amid heightened tensions in Manipur’s hill districts following the killing of three church leaders in an ambush by armed miscreants in Kanpokpi district on May 13. In retaliation, both Naga and Kuki groups took civilians from the other community hostage. Two days later on May 15, altogether 28 civilians — 14 Kukis and 14 Nagas — were released.

However, the six Naga civilians, allegedly abducted by Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei, remained untraceable. The Nagas refused to release the 14 Kukis in their custody until the Naga civilians are returned unharmed.

“Considering the prevailing sentiments of the Naga public, the proposed release of the 14 Kuki detainees, earlier scheduled at 2pm on June 1, 2026, hereby stands cancelled,” a UNC statement stated on Monday.

Sources said the UNC, the apex body of Naga tribes, had intervened to facilitate the release of the 14 detained Kukis and there were plans to free them in the afternoon. The decision was taken following appeals from the global Baptist community, Naga churches, tribes and organisations, as well as assurances from the ministry of home affairs and the Manipur govt regarding efforts to trace the six missing Naga civilians and bring those responsible to justice.

However, the decision to facilitate release of Kuki detainees triggered resentment among some Naga youth groups and civil society organisations. They alleged that the move had been taken without adequate consultation with stakeholders in the Naga-majority district, officials said.

Multiple meetings were held among the Naga civil society organisations and student bodies at Senapati for hours, where it was pointed out that the fate of six Naga civilians abducted by Kuki armed groups remains unknown, officials added.

The Naga groups pointed out that the whereabouts and condition of the six youths held hostage must be first revealed by Kuki armed groups before finalising the release of the Kuki hostages.

Meanwhile, the Joint Tribes’ Council Manipur strongly opposed the decision to release the 14 Kuki detainees before the safe return of the six missing Naga civilians.

The council has announced a total emergency shutdown across Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme areas until the abducted civilians are returned unharmed.

It has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the six Naga civilians abducted since May 13, detention of the 14 Kuki detainees until the Nagas are freed, a thorough investigation into the alleged collusion between Leilon Vaiphei village and illegal Kuki militants, and accountability from the Manipur govt.

With PTI inputs