Imphal: Civil society groups, state officials and security forces are holding intensive talks to secure the safe release of people still believed to be held by armed groups in Manipur, officials said on Saturday, PTI reported.
Thirty-one of roughly 38 hostages from the Kuki and Naga communities who had been taken hostage during separate incidents in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts were freed on Thursday and Friday, police said.
The captives had been moved to undisclosed locations after suspected militants shot dead three church leaders and wounded four others in Kangpokpi on Wednesday. In a separate incident, a civilian was shot dead and his wife injured in Noney district, officials added.
“All-out efforts are being made to ensure the safe release of the remaining persons,” the police said, describing the ongoing actions as part of a coordinated response.
The police statement credited the “concerted efforts” of the administration, security forces, political leaders and civil society organisations for the recovery of most detained civilians. “The majority of the detained civilians, belonging to different communities, have been released safely,” it said.
An official said, “Talks are going on among civil society organisations, representatives of the state government, security forces and Naga and Kuki stakeholders to ensure the safe release of those who are still being held hostage by armed groups.”
Among those freed were 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village, who were released at Makhan village, a senior police officer said. This besides, four men and ten women from the Kuki community who had been held captive were handed over to security forces in Senapati district late on Thursday night, he added.
“Two Salesian brothers of Don Bosco, including one from Nagaland, were also released by armed groups at separate locations,” the officer said.
On Thursday evening, three people — including an 18-year-old woman — from the Kuki community were handed over to police teams in Senapati district, another officer told reporters.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Thursday the government was in active discussions with civil society groups and political leaders to secure the release of those taken. He emphasised the administration’s engagement with stakeholders to resolve the situation, officials said.
