Release of 14 Kuki Civilians Held by Naga Groups in Manipur

In Manipur, India, fourteen civilians from the Kuki community were released on June 9, 2026, after being held hostage for nearly a month by armed groups linked to the Naga community. Their release, facilitated by various church and civil society organisations, was confirmed by Mukesh Singh, the Director General of Police for Manipur.

The hostages returned to their homes in Taphou village, located in the Senapati district. The situation escalated following the ambush and killing of three church leaders from the Thadou tribe on May 13, leading to significant unrest and the abduction of at least 44 individuals by Kuki and Naga groups.

As of now, six Naga individuals remain unaccounted for. The United Naga Council (UNC) initially planned to release the Kuki detainees on June 1 but postponed this due to the ongoing sentiments among the Naga community. Ng Lorho, President of the UNC, stated that the decision to release the Kuki individuals was made following assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He expressed gratitude towards various organisations and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

Rio further welcomed the release, citing discussions he had held with Naga civil society representatives aimed at resolving the conflict. On social media, he stated, "We hope this gesture will help pave the way for trust, understanding & dialogue as we strive for genuine peace, reconciliation & harmony."

In a statement reflecting the broader implications of this release, Sangma remarked on the need for humanity to take precedence over differences. He reiterated his call for the immediate release of the six Naga civilians still being held.

The release of the Kuki hostages is being viewed as a potential step towards fostering coexistence and dialogue between the communities that have faced ongoing ethnic violence in the region since May 2023.

Over 260 individuals have lost their lives amidst this conflict, which has further complicated relations between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups. The involvement of the Naga-Kuki dimension has particularly intensified since February this year, making the recent developments crucial for the peace process in the region.