Thousands of women staged sit-in protests across Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of six Naga men allegedly being held hostage by suspected Kuki militants, even as security forces intensified combing operations in the hill districts to trace those still missing.
The demonstrations were held in Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Noney districts, with protesters raising slogans against abductions and urging the Centre to intervene swiftly to secure the release of the hostages.
In Senapati district headquarters, normal life was disrupted as markets remained shut and commercial vehicles stayed off the roads in support of the agitation. Protesters carried placards reading, “Hostages must be released” and “Kuki militants, stop kidnapping”.
Naga Women’s Union president Priscilla Thiumai appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the safe return of the abducted men.
“We want to send a clear message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his government must give justice and bring back the hostages at the earliest without any harm,” she said.
Also read: Over 38 held hostage by different groups across state: Manipur HM
Thiumai also demanded strict action against those responsible and called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki militant groups, alleging that incidents of kidnapping had become frequent despite the ceasefire arrangement with the Centre.
The protests came a week after more than 38 people were abducted and held hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on May 13, hours after three church leaders were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi district.
Officials said 31 of those abducted have since been released, including 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village, 16 Kukis from Kangpokpi district and two Salesian brothers. However, six Naga men are still missing and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of Kuki tribes in the state, claimed that 14 members of the Kuki community continued to be held hostage by Naga groups.
Security forces have intensified search operations in the interior hill ranges of Kangpokpi district to trace the missing persons. Police said combing operations were being carried out in the areas surrounding Leilon Vaiphei, Songtun, Khunkho and P Molding villages, with sniffer dogs also deployed for the rescue effort.
Amid the escalating tensions, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh stressed the urgent need to disarm civilians across the state.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Tangkhul Naga community in Ukhrul district, Singh said peace remained the only way forward for Manipur and urged community leaders to persuade youths to abandon violence.
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