Nagaland CM Rio seeks release of 6 Naga hostages after 14 Kuki captives freed
Synopsis
Fourteen Kuki hostages have been freed in Manipur after nearly four weeks in captivity — but six Naga villagers remain missing. Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio is now publicly appealing for a reciprocal release, framing it as a test of humanity amid conflict. The NIA is already investigating the May 13 violence that triggered the crisis.
Key Takeaways
14 Kuki villagers were freed on 10 June and handed over to police in Senapati district by the United Naga Council and Naga People's Organisation .
Six Naga villagers abducted on 13 May remain in captivity with no confirmed information on their whereabouts.
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio appealed on X for the safe, reciprocal release of the six Naga hostages.
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh welcomed the release and urged all communities to renounce violence.
The crisis originated in 13 May violence in Kangpokpi district that killed three church leaders and injured four others.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting a detailed investigation into the killings and abductions.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on 10 June appealed to armed groups to secure the safe release of six Naga villagers still in captivity, hours after 14 Kuki community members were freed following nearly four weeks of captivity in Manipur. The development marks a partial but significant humanitarian breakthrough in an ongoing hostage crisis rooted in inter-community violence.
How the 14 Kuki Hostages Were Freed
The 14 Kuki villagers were handed over to a police station in Senapati district late on Tuesday afternoon by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga People's Organisation (NPO). Their release came in response to appeals made by Church bodies, including those led by the Baptist World Alliance. A police official in Imphal confirmed the handover but noted there is still no information on the whereabouts of the six Naga villagers abducted on 13 May.
What Nagaland CM Rio Said
In a post on X, Chief Minister Rio welcomed the Kuki hostages' release and directly appealed for a reciprocal gesture. 'We hope this gesture will help pave the way for trust, understanding and dialogue as we strive for genuine peace, reconciliation and harmony,' Rio said.
Rio credited sustained engagement with Naga civil society groups over recent weeks for facilitating the outcome. 'I had also formally appealed for the safe release of the hostages, guided by compassion, human dignity and the values that define the Naga people. This gesture reflects our respect for human life, commitment to human rights and belief that even amidst conflict, humanity must prevail,' he added.
Manipur CM Welcomes Release, Urges End to Violence
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh described the release of the 14 Kuki hostages as a positive and humanitarian step, lauding Naga civil society groups for their role. He also appealed to all sections of society to renounce violence in all forms, stressing that the crisis has caused immense suffering to victims and their families. Singh assured that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible and that justice would be ensured.
Background: The May 13 Violence and Hostage Crisis
The hostage crisis stems from violent incidents on 13 May in Kangpokpi district, in which three church leaders were killed and four others injured. According to police officials, at least 50 people from both the Kuki and Naga communities were allegedly held hostage by different armed groups across Kangpokpi and Senapati districts in the aftermath. Around 30 individuals from both communities were released on 14 and 15 May following efforts by authorities, community leaders, and civil society organisations.
Manipur Chief Minister Singh had earlier stated that the cases relating to the abduction of the six Naga villagers and the killing of the three church leaders had been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a detailed investigation. Various organisations representing both communities have continued to stage protests demanding the safe rescue of all remaining captives.
What Comes Next
With six Naga villagers still unaccounted for, the appeals from both Chief Ministers signal that diplomatic and civil society pressure will continue. The NIA investigation into the 13 May killings and abductions adds a formal legal dimension to what has largely been a community-mediated crisis. Whether the release of the Kuki hostages catalyses a reciprocal gesture — as Rio has publicly hoped — will determine the next phase of this fragile humanitarian situation.
Point of View
But the asymmetry at its heart is stark: Naga civil society secured the Kuki release, yet the six Naga villagers remain unaccounted for. Rio's public appeal on X is as much a political signal as a humanitarian one — framing Naga groups as the moral actors in this crisis while keeping pressure on whoever holds the remaining captives. The NIA's entry adds federal weight but also risk: criminal investigations can freeze the informal back-channel negotiations that actually freed the 14. Manipur's inter-community violence has a long history of partial resolutions that harden into new grievances; the real test is whether this exchange becomes a foundation for dialogue or merely a transactional swap that leaves the underlying tensions intact.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the six Naga hostages still in captivity in Manipur?
The six are Naga villagers abducted on 13 May during violent incidents in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. As of 10 June, police officials confirmed there is still no information on their whereabouts.
How were the 14 Kuki hostages freed?
The 14 Kuki villagers were handed over to a police station in Senapati district by the United Naga Council and the Naga People's Organisation on the afternoon of 10 June, following appeals by Church bodies including those led by the Baptist World Alliance.
What caused the hostage crisis in Manipur?
The crisis was triggered by violent incidents on 13 May in Kangpokpi district, in which three church leaders were killed and four others injured. At least 50 people from Kuki and Naga communities were subsequently held hostage by different armed groups across Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
What is the NIA investigating in the Manipur hostage case?
The National Investigation Agency is conducting a detailed investigation into the abduction of the six Naga villagers and the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district on 13 May, as confirmed by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
What did Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio say about the hostage situation?
Rio welcomed the release of the 14 Kuki hostages and appealed on X for the safe, reciprocal release of the six Naga villagers, calling it a humanitarian gesture. He expressed hope the development would restore trust and pave the way for lasting peace in Manipur.
