After 27 days, the 14 men from Taphou Kuki village are finally home. UNC cites Christian values, peace, and human rights as reasons behind the unconditional release.
BY PC Bureau
June 9, 2026: 14 Kuki Hostages Released in Manipur’s Senapati District After Nearly a Month in CaptivitySenapati, Manipur, June 9, 2026 — In a significant breakthrough amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, all 14 Kuki-Zo hostages held in Senapati district have been safely released today, bringing relief to their families after 27 days of uncertainty.
The hostages, primarily men from Taphou Kuki village, were abducted on May 13 near Mount Everest College in Senapati while returning from work. The abductions occurred against the backdrop of heightened Kuki-Naga tensions following the killing of three Kuki church leaders in an ambush at Kotlen in Kangpokpi district.
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That incident had triggered a wave of retaliatory abductions involving civilians from both communities.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Senapati, with facilitation by the United Naga Council (UNC) and support from security forces including the Assam Rifles and state police, brokered the release. The hostages were handed over around 3:36 p.m. to the chief of Taphou Kuki village in good health. Reports indicate they received food, clothes, and blankets during their captivity.
14 Kuki hostages are released. Blessed are the people who choose Humanity over Hatred or Violence.
Humble appreciation to all who took part to enable their released. @rashtrapatibhvn @HMOIndia @INCIndia @RahulGandhi @saptagiriulaka @INCManipur @NIA_India @LokBhavManipur… pic.twitter.com/kIBfPGEfHy
— Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip (@DrLamtinthangHk) June 9, 2026
One of the released hostages, Paotinkai Chongloi, expressed gratitude for the intervention. Families and community members had staged prolonged sit-in protests, including emotional gatherings by women in white attire symbolizing peace, demanding unconditional release on humanitarian grounds.On the occasion of the release, a UNC representative highlighted the council’s role, stating that the decision was guided by the Naga people’s commitment to justice, peace, Christian values, and respect for human rights.
The release followed appeals from church leaders, tribal organizations, and civil society groups, while the UNC continued to urge authorities for information and the safe return of their six missing Naga civilians.This development follows an earlier mutual release on May 15, when 28 hostages (14 from each community) were freed. However, the remaining 14 Kuki hostages continued to be held as Naga groups demanded information on six of their own civilians allegedly abducted by Kuki groups. Earlier attempts to release the Kuki hostages, including a planned handover on June 1, faced protests and were cancelled due to public sentiment among Naga communities.
The hostage crisis is part of recurring ethnic friction between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in the hill districts of Manipur. Over 48 civilians were reportedly abducted in mid-May following the church leaders’ killing. While many have been released through CSO and security interventions, a few Naga individuals remain unaccounted for, keeping tensions alive.State government officials and security forces have been credited for sustained efforts in de-escalation. Both sides have called for calm, with appeals for dialogue beyond immediate grievances.
As of now, the released individuals are reuniting with families in Kangpokpi and Senapati areas. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent any flare-ups. This release is seen as a positive step toward confidence-building, though underlying issues in Manipur’s complex ethnic landscape persist.
Further details on the exact modalities of the release and any reciprocal actions are expected in the coming hours.
