Nagas stage protests demanding release of six abducted men

Impha Thousands of women connected Wednesday (May 21, 2026) staged aggregate sit-in protests crossed Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, demanding the contiguous merchandise of six men held hostage by suspected Kuki militants.

In the Senapati territory headquarters, mean beingness was affected arsenic markets remained closed and commercialized transport was disconnected the roads successful presumption of the protests.

Demonstrators raised slogans demanding justness and held placards that work "Hostages indispensable beryllium released; Kuki militants, halt kidnapping".

Naga Women's Union president Priscilla Thiumai told reporters, "We privation to nonstop a wide connection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his authorities indispensable springiness justness and bring backmost the hostages astatine the earliest without immoderate harm."

"The culprits should beryllium arrested and brought to publication immediately. Such acts by Kuki militants, who are observing the Suspension of Operations pact with the Centre, person go a norm. This is not acceptable. We entreaty to the Centre to abrogate the SoO pact with the Kuki militants," she said.

Hundreds of women besides staged akin protests successful Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Noney to explicit solidarity with the families of the missing persons and impulse the authorities to guarantee their harmless return.

Cycle of violence: On Manipur, the persistence of hostilities

More than 38 radical were abducted and held hostage by equipped groups successful Kangpokpi and Senapati districts connected May 13, hours aft 3 religion leaders were killed successful an ambush successful Kangpokpi district.

Of them, 31 radical person been released, including 12 Naga women from Konsakhul colony and 16 Kukis from Kangpokpi district. Two Salesian brothers were besides released.

Six Naga men, however, continued to beryllium held hostage and their whereabouts are not yet known.

Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex assemblage of the Kuki tribes successful the State, besides claimed that 14 radical from the assemblage continued to beryllium held hostage by Naga groups.