Nagaland, Meghalaya Chief Ministers Appeal Early Release Of Abducted Civilians In Manipur, Asks For Intervention Of Union Home Ministry
Mr Rio also informed that he spoke to the union home secretary and the Director of Intelligence Bureau, citing the urgency and sensitivity of the matter and requesting immediate and coordinated action by all concerned agencies.
Guwahati: In view of the simmering tension over the prolonged hostage crisis in Manipur, the chief ministers of Nagaland and Meghalaya have appealed for the safe and early release of six Naga and 14 Kuki civilians who are among those abducted in Manipur after the killing of three Church leaders on May 13 ambush in Kangpokpi district..
In a letter to the United Naga Council (UNC), Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that he had, during a telephonic conversation with union home minister Amit Shah, conveyed the deep concern of Nagas over the abduction of the six people from the community.
Mr Rio in his letter said, “I requested his personal intervention and urged that all possible efforts be made by the Government of India to trace the six abducted persons, secure their release and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
He said that the union home minister assured him that the matter would be accorded the highest priority and that all necessary measures would be taken by the agencies concerned to trace the abducted persons, identify those responsible for the abduction, and ensure that the law takes its course.
Mr Rio also informed that he spoke to the union home secretary and the Director of Intelligence Bureau, citing the urgency and sensitivity of the matter and requesting immediate and coordinated action by all concerned agencies. He appealed to the UNC to prevail upon the Naga volunteers who allegedly kept 14 Kuki individuals in their custody, and facilitate their safe and unconditional release.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma said that he, as the president of National People’s Party as well as a fellow citizen and Christian, was deeply pained by the continued captivity of the civilians.
“The abduction of civilians who have no role in any conflict inflicts unbearable pain and deepens divisions within our society. Mothers, children, and elders are living in fear and uncertainty. Such acts only widen the gap between communities that have lived together for generations,” Mr Sangma wrote in a letter to the UNC and the Kuki Inpi Manipur.
He appealed to both groups for the immediate release of all hostages and called for their safety, medical care, food, and communication with families. He urged all stakeholders to pursue dialogue rather than violence.“…Let this act of compassion mark the beginning of healing for Manipur. The people of the Northeast are watching, and history will remember those who choose humanity in times of conflict,” said Mr Sangma in a letter released to the media on Monday.
It is significant that 14 Nagas and 14 Kukis civilians were released by their captors earlier but 20 others are still in captivity.
Meanwhile, security sources indicated that they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure safe release of those abducted civilians.
