Imphal: Thousands of Naga women across Manipur’s hill districts staged sit-ins on Wednesday demanding the immediate release of six Naga men still being held after a wave of abductions earlier this month.
According to reports, the demonstrations, held in Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Noney brought daily life to a halt in parts of the hills. In Senapati town markets remained closed and public transport stayed off the roads as protesters carried placards reading “Hostages must be released; Kuki militants, stop kidnapping” and repeatedly called for the safe return of the missing men.
Priscilla Thiumai, president of the Naga Women’s Union (NWU), appealed to the central government for urgent action. “We want to send a clear message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his government must give justice and bring back the hostages at the earliest without any harm,” she said, adding that the NWU had formally petitioned the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
Calls To Scrap SoO Pact
Thiumai also urged the Centre to scrap the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki militant groups, accusing some signatory outfits of continuing abductions despite the agreement. “The culprits should be arrested and brought to book immediately. Such acts by Kuki militants, who are observing the SoO pact with the Centre, have become a norm. This is not acceptable,” she told reporters.
The NWU’s petition follows a separate appeal by the Kuki-Zo Council on May 18, which sought the release of 14 Kuki men — including three students — whom it says are held by Naga outfits.
Security sources say the spate of abductions began after an ambush in Kangpokpi on May 13 that killed three church leaders. That night and in the days after, armed groups captured more than 38 people in Kangpokpi and Senapati. Most have been released in stages: authorities report 31 freed so far, including 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village, 16 Kuki residents of Kangpokpi and two Salesian brothers. Six Naga men, however, remained unaccounted for as of Wednesday.
Conflicting Claims Deepen Mistrust
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex Kuki body, maintains that 14 Kuki people are still held by Naga groups — a claim that provincial authorities and community leaders say needs urgent resolution to avoid further escalation. These opposing appeals point to reciprocal attacks and have raised tensions and suspicion between the communities.
Both Naga and Kuki civil bodies are pressing state and central authorities to secure all releases and bring perpetrators to justice. The mass sit-ins by Naga women are the latest high-profile attempt to force a rapid official response amid fears the cycle of reprisals could widen.
