While the United Naga Council claims six Naga men remain missing, Kuki groups deny holding any hostages and insist 14 Kuki men are still in Naga custody.
BY PC Bureau
May 16, 2026: Two family members of an Indian Army paratrooper are among the 14 Kuki-Zo tribals who are stil being held hostage by suspected Tangkhul Naga militants in Manipur’s Senapati district amid the continuing inter-community standoff.
The hostage crisis erupted after tensions escalated following the killing of three tribal church leaders in Kangpokpi district earlier this week. Although both the Kuki-Zo and Naga sides later exchanged 14 hostages each, Kuki organisations claim that 14 of their male members remain in the custody of Tangkhul Naga volunteers and militants.
On the other hand, the United Naga Council (UNC) has maintained that six Naga men from their community have still not been returned by the Kuki side.
Amid the tense standoff, it has now emerged that two relatives of an Indian Army jawan serving in a paratrooper division were also among those abducted during the violence, adding to growing concern within security circles and among local communities.
Unconfirmed reports have meanwhile suggested that the six missing Naga men may never have been taken hostage at all, but could instead have been killed during the outrage and retaliatory violence that followed the brutal murder of the Baptist pastors earlier this week. However, in the absence of any bodies being recovered or official confirmation from authorities, such claims remain speculative and without factual foundation.
READ: Bloodshed, Hostages, and Silence: How the Nation Has Abandoned Manipur’s Tribals
Senior officials from Manipur’s Home Department and security forces are currently engaged in negotiations with Naga representatives in Senapati district in an attempt to defuse tensions and secure the release of all remaining captives. Kuki organisations, however, have denied allegations that any Naga civilians continue to be held in their custody.
Konsakhul incident
Konsakhul,Manipur | 15 May 2026
A woman hostage narrated how they were taken blindfolded up the mountain and down again by the Kuki Militants. From the time of abduction, men and women were taken to different locations.
The women are safe, but the 6 men… pic.twitter.com/azWh5pvn5r
— SpeakNaga_X (@SpeakNaga_X) May 15, 2026
A crucial meeting on the issue of abducted civilians was held on May 15 in Senapati between representatives of the UNC, civil society organisations from Senapati district, and officials of the Manipur Home Department. The government delegation included Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar and Additional Director General of Police Ashutosh Kumar Sinha.
The discussion, which lasted for more than an hour at the DC Conference Hall in Senapati, focused on efforts to trace the missing civilians and prevent further escalation of tensions between the communities.
During the meeting, the Home Department assured UNC representatives that the status of the six allegedly abducted Naga men would be ascertained by the following day. The assurance came after strong pressure from Naga civil society groups demanding immediate clarification regarding the whereabouts and safety of the missing persons.
Following the emergency talks, the UNC and the Government of Manipur agreed to extend an earlier deadline issued by Naga groups from 6 pm to 2 pm on May 16, 2026, to allow more time for negotiations and recovery efforts.
In its ultimatum, the UNC alleged that “Kuki militant groups” had taken hostage 18 Naga civilians, including women and a two-year-old child, from Leilon Vaiphei village, along with two Naga priests from Sapermeina village on May 13 under Sapermeina police station limits.
“This has resulted in counter actions where members of Kuki have also been detained by Naga volunteers,” the UNC stated.
The hostage crisis has deepened fears across Manipur’s hill districts, where tensions remain extremely fragile following the killings of the three tribal pastors earlier this week. Security forces continue to maintain a heavy presence in sensitive areas as negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages continue.
