GUWAHATI: Fourteen Kuki-Zo tribals who had been held captive by a Naga group in Manipur since May 13 were released on Tuesday and handed over to the chief of Taphou Kuki village in the Naga-majority Senapati district.
Ng Lorho, president of the United Naga Council, Manipur’s apex Naga civil society organisation, said the release followed assurances from the state government and the Centre that efforts would be made to ascertain the status of six Naga civilians, including two pastors, who were allegedly abducted by Kuki groups.
“Nagas are cultured people. We uphold war ethics and respect international laws of human rights,” Lorho said.
Naga civil society organisations had initially planned to release the 14 individuals on June 1 but cancelled the move at the last moment following protests from members of the Naga community.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) expressed gratitude to the state government, Assam Rifles, UNC, Naga Students’ Federation, and civil society organisations which took part at a meeting in Senapati on June 7 “which led to the safe release of the 14 hostages.”
Also appreciating Christian organisations, KIM said, “…as a window of hope for peace begins to emerge, we urge all communities to recognise that enough blood has been shed. The time has come to pursue peace and reconciliation…”
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh welcomed the release of the 14 Kukis and termed it as an act of compassion, responsibility, and concern for human life.
“The Chief Minister appealed to all sections of society to completely renounce all forms of violence. He stressed that the present crisis inflicts immense suffering on victims and their families, and assured that strict legal action would be taken against those involved and that justice would be served,” a government statement said.
The release of the persons was scheduled on June 1 but cancelled at the last moment following protests by the Nagas.
On May 13, unidentified gunmen had killed three church leaders from the Thadou community in the Kangpokpi district. On the same day after that incident, 48 people – 28 Kukis and 20 Nagas – were abducted from different parts of the state.
On May 15, Nagas released 14 Kuki civilians and similarly, Kukis freed 14 Naga individuals. However, the fate of six Nagas is still not known.
Recently, Chief Ministers Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland) and Conrad K Sangma (Meghalaya) appealed to both communities to release the 14 Kuki and the six Naga civilians.
“May this act of humanity serve as a reminder that dialogue, compassion and faith remain our most powerful instruments for reconciliation and peace,” Rio posted on X, welcoming the “safe and humane” release of the 14 Kukis.
He made an appeal for the safe release of the six Nagas in a “reciprocal and humanitarian” manner.