Central and state security forces have intensified joint rescue operations across Manipur's Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on Monday, 18 May, as 13 civilians — six from the Naga community and seven from the Kuki community — remain in the captivity of armed groups. The crisis follows the killing of three Baptist Church leaders and the injuring of four others in Kangpokpi district on 13 May.

State of the Rescue Operations

According to officials, combing and search operations are being carried out in the hill ranges to the northwest of Leilon Vaiphei and Kharam Vaiphei villages in Kangpokpi district, areas predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community. Parallel operations are underway in Senapati district, which is largely inhabited by the Naga community.

Officials confirmed that more than 40 people from both communities were initially taken hostage by various armed groups in the two districts following the church killings. Through sustained efforts involving authorities, community leaders, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), 30 hostages were released on 14 and 15 May. The remaining 13 are still unaccounted for.

Kuki Inpi Manipur Extends Shutdown

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), one of the apex organisations of the Kuki community in Manipur, extended its total shutdown across hill areas by a further 48 hours from midnight on Sunday. The shutdown — originally called for three days from midnight of 13 May — was extended in protest against what KIM describes as continued government inaction.

KIM Information and Publicity Secretary Janghaolun Haokip said in a statement: 'After thorough deliberation, the Kuki Inpi Manipur has resolved to extend the ongoing 48-hour shutdown for another 48 hours.' He cited the government's failure to respond to a charter of demands submitted to the Union government on 14 May and the absence of any positive development in rescuing the detained Kuki villagers from Senapati district.

Normal life has remained severely disrupted across all Kuki-Zo inhabited areas, particularly in Kangpokpi district. Various tribal organisations have been holding rallies and demonstrations in the hill districts to protest the alleged illegal detention of civilians.

United Naga Council Announces Economic Blockade

The United Naga Council (UNC) has announced an inter-district economic blockade along National Highways passing through Naga-inhabited areas. The move is a direct response to the abduction of six Naga civilians by suspected Kuki militants. An economic blockade on key highways in this region has historically caused severe disruption to the supply of essential goods across Manipur's hill districts.

Background and Broader Context

The current hostage crisis is the latest flashpoint in the prolonged ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in Manipur, a state that has witnessed persistent inter-community tensions for decades. The killing of church leaders on 13 May sharply escalated the situation, triggering a chain of retaliatory abductions and civic protests. This is not an isolated incident — Manipur has seen recurring cycles of targeted violence, shutdowns, and blockades linked to ethnic fault lines in its hill districts. The simultaneous mobilisation of both the UNC and KIM signals a widening of the crisis beyond the initial trigger, raising the stakes for security forces and state administration alike.

With operations ongoing and community organisations maintaining pressure, the resolution of the remaining hostage situation will be closely watched as a test of the state and central administration's capacity to manage inter-community violence in the northeast.