Churachandpur, May 15: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has extended its ongoing 48-hour total shutdown by another 48 hours amid the continuing hostage crisis involving Kuki civilians in Manipur’s hill districts.
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| Photographs of individuals reportedly still being held hostage amid the ongoing crisis in Manipur hill districts, as calls grow for their immediate and unconditional release. |
In a press statement issued on May 15, Kuki Inpi Manipur said it acknowledged the release of 14 Kuki hostages following the issuance of its “final ultimatum” on May 14. However, the organisation alleged that another 14 Kuki individuals still remain under “illegal detention and unlawful custody.”
The organisation stated that the extended shutdown would take effect from midnight of May 15, citing the “grave threat” posed to the safety and lives of the remaining detainees.
KIM strongly condemned what it described as abduction, illegal detention and hostage-taking of innocent civilians, terming such acts “barbaric acts of terror” and a direct assault on human dignity, democratic values and the rule of law.
The organisation urged the government and concerned authorities to take immediate and decisive action to ensure the safe, unconditional and immediate release of all remaining hostages.
“The continued captivity of innocent civilians constitutes a deeply unfortunate and dangerous violation of constitutional and humanitarian principles,” the statement said, warning that failure to address the situation decisively could further endanger peace and stability in the region.
Kuki Inpi Manipur stated that while it remains committed to acting responsibly and prioritising the safety of detainees, such restraint should not be interpreted as weakness. It also alleged that the Kuki people had endured prolonged persecution, intimidation and targeted violence.
The organisation called upon district civil society organisations and frontal Kuki-Zo bodies to intensify democratic and constitutional forms of protest against the alleged illegal detention of Kuki civilians.
As part of the protest programme, KIM announced that a sit-in demonstration would be held under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) at Motbung in Kangpokpi district, while a mass rally would also be organised in Churachandpur district. Similar protest activities are expected across other Kuki-Zo dominated districts.
The organisation said the demonstrations are intended to collectively demand the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all remaining hostages and added that it would continue monitoring the situation closely while holding the authorities accountable for ensuring the safety and release of detainees.
