In a statement, the Kuki Students body alleged that police personnel facilitated the movement of 25 civilians before they were intercepted by armed assailants on May 13.
BY PC Bureau
May 17, 2026: The Kuki Students’ Organisation Sadar Hills (KSO-SH) has accused the Senapati Police of “active complicity” in the alleged abduction of Kuki-Zo civilians and students on May 13, claiming that police personnel directly facilitated the movement of victims before they were intercepted by armed assailants.
In a strongly worded statement issued under Ref. KSO-SH/UT-17/26, the student body alleged that the Officer-in-Charge of Senapati Police Station and the Superintendent of Police personally oversaw what it described as a “so-called escort” of 25 unarmed civilians from Taphou Kuki villages, only for them to be abandoned less than a kilometre from the police station.
“These unarmed civilians were instead abandoned to assailants and SDSA elements,” the statement said, alleging that the hostages were later moved through Senapati Bazar and Karong “in full view of the police station without any intervention.”
READ: Families Plead, Thousands Rally for Release of Kuki-Zo Hostages in Manipur
The organisation called the incident a “grave and blatant dereliction of duty” and further alleged possible collusion between certain police officials and the abductors. It has demanded the immediate removal of the Officer-in-Charge of Senapati Police Station and the Superintendent of Police, Senapati, within 48 hours.
Allegations Against UNC and SDSA
The student body also accused the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) of involvement in what it termed a “cowardly and barbaric conspiracy” targeting innocent civilians. It further condemned what it described as attempts to justify the killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders on May 13.
KSO-SH alleged that proscribed groups, including NSCN-IM and its alleged proxy Kamson faction, were responsible for the violence, and criticised recent public clarifications by the UNC and SDSA as an attempt to “whitewash the crime.”
“Abducting innocent youths for political and militant agendas is cowardly, barbaric, and utterly indefensible,” the statement read. “Students are not bargaining tools or instruments of intimidation.”
48-Hour Ultimatum
Issuing a strict deadline, the organisation demanded the unconditional release of all 14 remaining hostages — including three students — within 48 hours.
Failure to comply, it warned, would trigger “relentless and widespread agitation” that would “paralyze the status quo until justice is delivered.”
“We will not retreat. We will not back down until justice is served,” the statement declared.
The allegations have further escalated tensions in the region, with the KSO-SH warning that continued silence or inaction by authorities would be treated as “direct complicity.”
With the ultimatum now in effect, the situation remains highly volatile as the community awaits an official response from the administration and concerned organisations.
