Manipur: Bodies of 6 abducted Naga villagers recovered in Kangpokpi forest
Synopsis
Six Naga villagers abducted in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on 13 May were found dead on 10 June — just hours after 14 Kuki hostages were released alive. The grim discovery, made by a 450-strong joint security force, deepens the humanitarian crisis from one of Manipur's worst inter-tribal flare-ups in recent months, with the NIA now investigating both the abductions and the killing of three church leaders.
Key Takeaways
Bodies of six Naga community members , abducted on 13 May , were recovered on 10 June from a forest near Kharam Vaiphei village , Kangpokpi district.
A joint operation of ~450 personnel from Manipur Police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles, aided by sniffer dogs and forensic experts, located the bodies.
14 Kuki hostages were released on Tuesday by the United Naga Council (UNC) and Naga People's Organisation (NPO) , hours before the bodies were found.
At least 50 people from Kuki and Naga communities were allegedly taken hostage following violence on 13 May that killed three church leaders .
The cases have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation.
Bodies are being taken to RIMS, Imphal for post-mortem examination.
The bodies of six Naga community members, abducted by armed groups on 13 May, were recovered on Wednesday, 10 June from a forested area near Kharam Vaiphei village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, officials confirmed. The discovery came just hours after 14 Kuki hostages were released on Tuesday, underscoring the deepening humanitarian toll of the ongoing inter-tribal conflict in the state.
How the Bodies Were Found
A joint search operation involving approximately 450 personnel from the Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Assam Rifles combed the forest area over nearly 24 hours. Sniffer dogs and forensic experts were also deployed during the operation.
The bodies were located in a forest near Kharam Vaiphei village, a predominantly Kuki-Zo tribal settlement in the Saitu-Gamphazol Sub-division of Kangpokpi district. 'The deceased are believed to be among those taken hostage from the Leilon Vaiphei area (Kangpokpi district) on May 13. Necessary legal formalities are being carried out by the police. Further investigation is underway,' a Manipur Police statement said. The bodies are being transported to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for post-mortem examination.
The Hostage Crisis: Background
According to police officials, at least 50 people from the Kuki and Naga communities were allegedly held hostage by different armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following violent incidents on 13 May, in which 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.
The 14 Kuki villagers were handed over to a police station in Senapati district on Tuesday by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga People's Organisation (NPO), reportedly in response to appeals by Church bodies led by the Baptist World Alliance.
Nagaland CM's Appeal and Response
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had, on Tuesday evening, appealed to the concerned groups to ensure the safe release of the six Naga villagers still in captivity. In a post on X, Rio said such gestures 'could pave the way for trust, understanding and dialogue as communities strive for genuine peace, reconciliation and harmony.' He welcomed the release of the Kuki hostages as a humanitarian step and noted that he had held several interactions with Naga civil society representatives in collective efforts to resolve the impasse 'in the spirit of Christian values.'
Manipur Government's Stand
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh welcomed the release of the 14 Kuki hostages as a 'positive and humanitarian step' and lauded Naga civil society groups for their role, describing the effort as 'a reflection of compassion, responsibility and concern for human life.' He appealed to all sections of society to renounce violence and assured that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for the abductions and killings.
The Manipur Chief Minister had earlier stated that the cases relating to the abduction of the six Naga villagers and the killing of the three church leaders on 13 May had been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for detailed investigation. The recovery of the six bodies, tragically, marks the end of any hope for their safe return — and places renewed pressure on the NIA probe and the broader peace process in the state.
Point of View
And each new incident — church leaders killed, villagers taken hostage, bodies found in forests — compounds distrust that no single investigation can reverse. The real accountability question is whether the NIA probe will reach the armed groups that ordered the abductions, or stop at the foot soldiers.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the six Naga villagers found dead in Manipur?
The six deceased are believed to be Naga community members abducted from the Leilon Vaiphei area of Kangpokpi district on 13 May by armed groups. Their bodies were recovered on 10 June from a forest near Kharam Vaiphei village and are being taken to RIMS, Imphal, for post-mortem examination.
What triggered the hostage crisis in Manipur's Kangpokpi district?
The crisis began on 13 May following violent incidents 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 allegedly taken hostage by different armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
Were any hostages released alive?
Yes. Around 30 individuals from both communities were released on 14 and 15 May. On Tuesday, 10 June, the remaining 14 Kuki hostages were handed over to police in Senapati district by the United Naga Council and the Naga People's Organisation, reportedly in response to appeals by Church bodies.
What is the NIA's role in this case?
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh confirmed that cases relating to the abduction of the six Naga villagers and the killing of the three church leaders on 13 May have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a detailed investigation.
What did Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio say about the crisis?
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appealed on Tuesday evening for the safe release of the six Naga hostages on humanitarian grounds. In a post on X, he said such gestures could 'pave the way for trust, understanding and dialogue' and expressed hope that the developments would contribute to lasting peace in Manipur.
