14 Kuki hostages freed in Manipur after 4 weeks; 6 Naga villagers still missing
Synopsis
Fourteen Kuki villagers held captive for nearly four weeks were freed in Manipur on 9 June — but six Naga villagers abducted on the same day, 13 May, are still unaccounted for. With the NIA now investigating the linked killing of three church leaders, the partial release does little to resolve the deeper crisis gripping Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
Key Takeaways
14 Kuki villagers were released on 9 June after nearly four weeks in captivity in Manipur .
The United Naga Council (UNC) and Naga People's Organisation (NPO) handed them over to a police station in Senapati district .
The fate of six Naga villagers abducted on 13 May remains unknown despite intensive search operations.
At least 50 people were allegedly taken hostage by armed groups on 13 May ; around 30 were released on 14–15 May .
Three church leaders were killed and four injured in Kangpokpi district on 13 May .
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has referred both the abduction and killing cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) .
Fourteen hostages from the Kuki community were released on Tuesday, 9 June after nearly four weeks in captivity in Manipur, officials confirmed. The release, facilitated by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga People's Organisation (NPO), brings partial relief — but the whereabouts of six Naga villagers abducted on the same day, 13 May, remain unknown.
How the Release Unfolded
According to a police official in Imphal, the 14 Kuki villagers were handed over to a police station in Senapati district by the UNC and NPO late on Tuesday afternoon. Concerned authorities took custody of the released individuals, and further details regarding the circumstances of their captivity and release are awaited, the official said.
The release follows intensive joint search operations by Central and state security forces over the past four weeks, which had failed to locate the abducted persons until Tuesday's handover.
Background: The 13 May Abductions
The abductions trace back to 13 May, when violent incidents in Manipur's hill districts led to the alleged kidnapping of at least 50 people from the Kuki and Naga communities by different armed groups operating in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. On the same day, three church leaders were killed and four others injured in Kangpokpi district.
Around 30 individuals from both communities were released on 14 and 15 May following sustained efforts by authorities, community leaders, and civil society organisations. Tuesday's release of the remaining 14 Kuki villagers leaves the fate of the six Naga villagers still unresolved.
Ongoing Tensions and Community Protests
The situation across Kangpokpi, Senapati, and adjoining districts of Manipur remained tense at the time of the release. Organisations representing both the Naga and Kuki communities have been staging continuous protests, demanding the safe rescue of all abducted individuals.
This is not an isolated episode — Manipur has witnessed prolonged ethnic unrest since May 2023, and the latest abductions represent a fresh escalation in community tensions in the hill districts.
NIA Handed the Investigation
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had earlier stated that cases relating to the abduction of the six Naga villagers and the killing of the three church leaders in Kangpokpi on 13 May had been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a detailed probe. The NIA's involvement signals the gravity with which the Centre is treating the incidents, though no arrests have been publicly confirmed so far.
What Happens Next
With the 14 Kuki hostages now free, pressure intensifies on both security agencies and community organisations to secure the release of the remaining six Naga villagers. The NIA investigation into the killings and abductions is expected to be a key determinant of how accountability is established in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But it is more accurately a half-measure in a crisis that has been building for weeks. The six Naga villagers still unaccounted for represent an unresolved thread that community organisations will not let authorities quietly close. Handing the case to the NIA signals the Centre acknowledges the state police's limitations — but NIA referrals in Manipur have a history of slow movement that rarely satisfies affected communities. The killing of three church leaders on 13 May, an act that triggered this entire chain of abductions, demands more than an investigative referral; it demands visible accountability. Until that arrives, the tensions in Kangpokpi and Senapati will not dissipate.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 14 Kuki hostages released in Manipur?
They are 14 members of the Kuki community who were allegedly abducted by armed groups in Manipur's hill districts on 13 May 2025. They were held for nearly four weeks before being handed over to police in Senapati district on 9 June by the United Naga Council and the Naga People's Organisation.
What happened to the six Naga villagers abducted on 13 May?
The six Naga villagers abducted on 13 May remain missing as of 9 June, according to officials. Despite intensive joint search operations by Central and state security forces over four weeks, their whereabouts have not been established.
Why were people abducted in Manipur in May 2025?
The abductions followed violent incidents on 13 May in Manipur's hill districts, during which three church leaders were killed and four others injured in Kangpokpi district. At least 50 people from the Kuki and Naga communities were allegedly taken hostage by different armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts in the aftermath.
What is the NIA's role in the Manipur hostage case?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh confirmed that the cases relating to the abduction of the six Naga villagers and the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi on 13 May have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a detailed investigation.
What is the current situation in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts?
The situation in Kangpokpi, Senapati, and adjoining districts of Manipur remained tense following the 13 May incidents. Community organisations representing both Naga and Kuki groups have been staging protests demanding the safe rescue of all abducted individuals.
