Senapati, May 15: The United Naga Council (UNC) has extended the deadline of its ultimatum to the Manipur government regarding the reported hostage crisis involving Naga civilians following an emergency meeting held in Senapati on Friday.
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| Hostages from the hill districts seen confined inside a room at an undisclosed location amid the ongoing tensions and hostage crisis in Manipur. |
According to an urgent notice issued by the UNC on May 15, the meeting between the council and state government representatives took place at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Senapati at 5 pm. The discussion followed an ultimatum submitted by the UNC to the Government of Manipur on May 14.
The UNC stated that after both sides presented their positions and views, the deadline earlier fixed for 6 pm on May 15 was extended until 2 pm on May 16 at the request of the state government. The extension was granted to allow authorities time to verify the status of people reportedly being held hostage and to facilitate their safe release.
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The latest development comes amid escalating tensions in parts of Manipur following a series of violent incidents, including the killing of church leaders in Kangpokpi district and reports of abductions involving members of both Naga and Kuki communities.
According to sources, six individuals - including four women and two men - allegedly held hostage by a Naga group in the Ireng Naga area were safely handed over to authorities on Thursday night. In another development, eight hostages - six women and two men - allegedly held by Naga groups in Senapati were released and handed over at the Makhan Baptist Church compound around midnight.
On Friday morning, twelve women from Konshakhul, who were reportedly held hostage by a Kuki group at Leilon Vaiphei village, were also released at Makhan. Sources further stated that two Salesian brothers who had reportedly been detained were safely released the same morning.
Authorities also confirmed that two additional hostages allegedly held by Naga groups in Senapati jurisdiction were released on May 14. One individual was handed over to police, while another Kuki woman was reportedly freed considering her age and gender.
Earlier, the UNC had served a 24-hour ultimatum to Yumnam Khemchand demanding the immediate and unconditional release of 20 Naga hostages allegedly held by Kuki groups at Leilon Vaiphei village and Sapermeina under Kangpokpi district. According to the council, the hostages included women, a two-year-old child and two Naga priests.
The UNC stated that the hostage incidents had also triggered retaliatory detentions by Naga volunteers, further increasing tensions in the region. The organisation warned that continued inaction could worsen the situation and stressed that the lives and liberty of innocent civilians “cannot be held hostage indefinitely.”
The council said it had already exhausted all possible channels for dialogue and peace efforts and urged the state government to take immediate action as a humanitarian confidence-building measure.
The statement extending the deadline was issued by the Media Cell of the United Naga Council.
