Breakthrough in Manipur Hostage Crisis: 14 Kukis Released After 27 Days With Intervention of UNC

Guwahati: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing hostage crisis, 14 Kuki-Zo tribals who had been held captive by a Naga group in Manipur for last 27 days were released on Tuesday and handed over to the chief of Taphou Kuki village in the Naga-majority Senapati district.

The handover was facilitated by the United Naga Council (UNC) in the presence of district administration officials, police and security forces.

The UNC president Ng Lorho told reporters that the decision followed consultations with various stakeholders and was guided by humanitarian considerations.

“In consultation with all stakeholders, the United Naga Council facilitated the safe release of the 14 Kuki hostages and handed them over to the district administration, police and security forces before the public,” said Mr Lorho.

He said that the move reflected the Naga community's commitment to humanitarian principles, human rights and established norms of conflict.

“The UNC decided to facilitate the release after taking into account assurances from both the Union and Manipur governments regarding efforts to trace and establish the status of six missing Naga individuals, as well as appeals from church bodies, tribal organisations and civil society groups across the region,” he said.

"Nagas are a cultured people. We uphold international law and respect human rights," he reiterated. .

Mr Lorho also acknowledged appeals from the Council of Naga Baptist Churches, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, various Christian organisations, tribal hohos, civil society groups and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma.

He said the Manipur government had assured that efforts were underway to determine the status of the missing Nagas within a defined timeframe.

The release followed sustained calls for a humanitarian resolution to the crisis from church bodies, tribal organisations, civil society groups and political leaders across the Northeast.

One of the released hostages, Paotinkai Chongloi of Kokhita village, told reporters that the group had been treated humanely throughout their detention. “We have learned a great lesson from our Naga brothers. They have been extraordinary to us,” said Mr Chongloi.

He said the hostages had been provided food, clothing, blankets and other essentials during their 27 days in custody and appealed for a reciprocal humanitarian gesture.

“I appeal to you to also learn from their kindness and wisdom and release the six Naga hostages unconditionally and on humanitarian grounds,” he appleaded.

Meanwhile, Manipur and Nagaland chief ministers have welcomed the decision of the UNC to release Kuki civilians.