Tension Grips Manipur As Kuki and Naga Groups Abduct Villagers After Killing Of Church Leaders

Guwahati: Amid rising tensions between the Kuki and Naga community following the ambush killing of three church leaders in Manipur, dozens of villagers from both communities were reportedly abducted in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on Thursday.

Asked about the incident, Manipur chief minister Y Khemchand Singh told reporters that the security forces were trying to secure the release of the reportedly kidnapped persons. Stating that the government has started to work to ensure evacuation, but the deadlock regarding the mutual hostage situation has not been resolved so far, the Minister said:

Meanwhile, an indefinite lockdown has paralyzed normal life in Churachandpur district since Wednesday due to the killing of church leaders.

Authorities were tight-lipped about the abduction of the villagers, but security sources said there were 18 Liangmai Naga villagers held hostage by Kuki groups in Kangpokpi district and around 29 Kuki villagers, mostly in Senapati district, were held captive by Naga groups.

Tension gripped the region after three church leaders from Thadou Baptist Association, Rev. Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulen Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou, were killed in an attack on their vehicle on Wednesday morning while they were on their way from Churachandpur to Kangpokpi. As news of this attack in Kangpokpi district spread, it sent shockwaves across the province. Hundreds of villagers took to the streets and held candle marches in various places.

Kuki groups claimed that armed Naga groups were responsible for the abduction and detention of about 18 residents of Konsakhul, a Liangmai Naga village in Kangpokpi district, on Wednesday morning.

A member of the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee said: “These villagers were captured by people from the neighboring Kuki-Zo village, Lelen Vaiphei, on their way to Imphal. We do not know exactly where they are being kept.”

In retaliation, Naga groups similarly detained 23 Kuki persons in Senapati and six others in parts of Kangpokpi district, he said.

“We suggested (to the Kuki groups) that all the hostages be released, and we will release them from our side. We instructed our people not to harm the detainees and to release them as soon as possible. But the Kuki side did nothing,” he said.

Announcing that senior ministers have been assigned to resolve this hostage situation, Ng Lorho, chairman of the United Naga Council, told reporters that the situation is extremely volatile.

Security sources in Imphal said Kuki agencies had spoken to deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen (another deputy chief minister from the Naga community Losii Dikho) regarding the issue.

Kuki Inpi Manipur information secretary Janghaolun Kipgen pointed out that the debate continues on methods to secure the release of the hostages and said, “Both communities primarily wanted the hostages to be released without being arrested.”