The apex Kuki body acknowledged the release of 14 hostages but warned that several others remain under “illegal detention and unlawful custody.” KIM has called for mass protests, rallies, and sit-in demonstrations across Kuki-Zo-majority districts beginning May 16.
BY PC Bureau
May 15, 2026: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki tribes in Manipur, has extended its ongoing 48-hour total shutdown by another 48 hours beginning midnight of May 15, citing the continued detention of 14 Kuki civilians despite the release of several hostages earlier in the day.
In a press statement, KIM acknowledged the release of 14 Kuki hostages following the organisation’s “FINAL ULTIMATUM” issued on May 14. However, it stated that another 14 Kuki individuals remain under what it described as “illegal detention and unlawful custody.”
The organisation said the continued captivity of the remaining detainees posed a serious threat to their safety and lives, necessitating the extension of the shutdown across Kuki-Zo areas.
“The abduction, illegal detention, and hostage-taking of innocent civilians are barbaric acts of terror and a direct assault on human dignity, democratic values, and the rule of law,” the statement said.
KIM asserted that such acts “cannot and must not be normalised under any circumstances” and urged the government and relevant authorities to act “decisively and without delay” to secure the safe, unconditional, and immediate release of all remaining hostages.
The organisation warned that failure to address the situation firmly would only “embolden lawlessness and further endanger peace and stability in the region.”
While reiterating its commitment to responsible action and prioritising the safety of the detained individuals, KIM stressed that its restraint should not be interpreted as weakness.
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“The Kuki people have endured relentless persecution, intimidation, and targeted violence with immense patience and discipline. However, the dignity, security, and lives of our people are non-negotiable,” the statement added.
As part of its response, KIM directed all district civil society organisations and frontal Kuki-Zo bodies to intensify democratic and constitutional forms of protest against the continued detention of Kuki civilians.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE HOSTAGE CRISIS IN #MANIPUR@UNHumanRights @AmitShahOffice @HMOIndia @PMOIndia @easterncomd @official_dgar @Spearcorps @Lal_Duhoma @Neiphiu_Rio @SangmaConrad @nppmeghalaya @YKhemchandSingh @KipgenNemcha https://t.co/ocN5rk2T8r pic.twitter.com/qIVsFZnQOq
— Min ⭐ (@minkukizo) May 15, 2026
According to the statement, a sit-in protest will be held on May 16 under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) at Motbung in Kangpokpi district, while a mass rally has been planned in Churachandpur district. Similar demonstrations and public protests are also expected across other Kuki-Zo-dominated districts.
KIM said these protests were intended to “firmly register the collective outrage of the Kuki-Zo people” and demand the immediate release of all remaining hostages.
The organisation further stated that it would continue to closely monitor the situation and hold the authorities “morally and administratively accountable” for ensuring the safety and release of the remaining detainees.
The statement was signed by Janghaolun Haokip, Secretary, Information and Publicity, Kuki Inpi Manipur.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in Manipur’s hill districts following recent violence, hostage-taking incidents, and the killing of Kuki church leaders earlier this week. The extended shutdown is expected to disrupt normal life across several Kuki-Zo-majority areas beginning midnight Friday.
