Imphal: Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Thursday that more than 38 individuals from both the Kuki and Naga communities are currently being held hostage following ambushes in Kangpokpi and Noney districts.
The horrific ambush between Kotzim and Kotlen areas in Kangpokpi district resulted in the deaths of three senior church leaders and left five others injured on Wednesday. On the same day, another ambush took place near Joujangtek in Noney district, killing one civilian from Chiru Naga community and injuring two others.
The dual incidents triggered widespread condemnation across Manipur and beyond, calling for thorough investigations.
Minister Konthoujam said that the state government is making every possible effort to secure their safe release, including discussions with civil society organisations and political leaders from both communities. However, despite these efforts, the detained civilians have not yet been released, he said.
“Soon after the reports of civialians being taken hostage by various groups, we immediately took action to secure the release of all those detained” Minister Konthoujam said.
The Home Minister also visited JNIMS Hospital mortuary and met with the families and relatives of a civilian, who was killed in an attack near Joujangtek in Noney district on Wednesday evening.
Hill Areas Committee (HAC) chairman Dinganglung Gangmei, MLA Awangbow Newmai, MLA Khashim Vashum, MLA SS Olish and MLA Janghemlung Panmei accompanied the minister and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
MLA Awangbow Newmai said that despite efforts to prevent further violence, unwanted incidents continue to happen which is very unfortunate.
Blaming one another would not bring any solution to the ongoing crisis, and maintaining peace and preventing such incidents is not only the responsibility of the government officials and police alone but also requires active awareness and cooperation from the public.
He also appealed to people from all communities to work together to prevent further violence and restore peace in the state.
Meanwhile, according to the United Naga Council (UNC) statement, at least 20 Nagas from Konsakhul village were taken hostage by residents of Leilon Kuki village just hours after the initial attack in Kangpokpi district.
Similarly, around 23 persons from Taphou Kuki village have reportedly been detained in Senapati district.