Senapati: In a significant development in Manipur’s ongoing hostage crisis, all 14 Kuki men held by a Naga group were released on humanitarian grounds in Senapati district on Tuesday.
The release was facilitated by the United Naga Council (UNC) following an extensive meeting involving Naga frontal organisations, federating tribal hohos representing different Naga tribes, and government officials at the UNC office.
After 27 days in captivity, the 14 detainees from Taphou Kuki village were formally handed over to the district administration at Karong in the presence of police personnel, security forces and members of the public.
The released individuals were identified as Thangtinlen Chongloi, Paotinkai Chongloi, Lunsei Chongloi, Kaimang Chongloi, Hengunsei Chongloi, Luntinlal Chongloi, Tonggoulen Chongloi, Sehginlun Chongloi, Sehminhao Chongloi, Paogoulhang Chongloi, Haominlun Kipgen, Lamgoulen Kipgen, Thanglemang Chongloi and Thangminlen Chongloi.
Speaking on the release, UNC president N.G. Lorho said the decision was taken in keeping with Naga values and humanitarian principles.
“We uphold war ethics and respect international human rights. We are also taking into consideration the commitment conveyed by Amit Shah through Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, assuring that the government will make all-out efforts to trace and establish the status of the six missing Naga hostages,” Lorho said.
He added that the Naga community had also considered appeals made by several individuals and organisations, including Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the World Baptist Alliance, Asian Baptist bodies and various Christian fellowship groups.
Lorho further said that the state government had assured the Naga community that every effort would be made to trace the six missing Naga men and establish their status within a specified timeframe.
Speaking to reporters after his release, Paotinkai Chongloi said the detainees were treated well during their captivity under the Naga Village Guard and were not subjected to any form of ill-treatment.
“We were treated well. We were provided with the best food available in the area, along with clothing, blankets and other essential items during our detention,” he said.
Last week, the release of the 14 detainees had been proposed but was subsequently called off following objections from various Naga groups. Tuesday’s development finally brought an end to the 27-day-long detention.
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