Six missing Nagas found dead in Kangpokpi, triggering shutdown call

Imphal: A joint team of security personnel recovered the bodies of six Naga men from an undisclosed location in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, nearly four weeks after they were allegedly abducted amid escalating tensions between Naga and Kuki groups.

The discovery has reignited ethnic tensions in the state, which had shown signs of easing following the release of 14 Kuki hostages who had been held by Naga groups.

The deceased were identified as Kenpibou Chawang, Manu Thiumai, Phenrongwibo Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai and Ch. Phenrilung, all residents of Konsakhul Naga village in Kangpokpi district. Two of the victims were pastors.

The bodies were located after a 24-hour search operation involving around 450 personnel from the Manipur Police, CRPF and Assam Rifles. They were later transported to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal for post-mortem examinations.

UNC calls shutdown, seeks action

Following the recovery of the bodies, the United Naga Council (UNC) announced a 24-hour shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas beginning Thursday morning.

The organisation said it would not accept the bodies until the Union and Manipur governments ensured justice for the victims.

Among its demands are the cancellation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abductions and killings, and the declaration of Kuki National Front-Presidential (KNF-P) as a terrorist organisation.

How the hostage crisis unfolded

The latest crisis traces its roots to the killing of three pastors belonging to the Thadou Baptist Association in an ambush on May 13.

Kuki organisations blamed armed Naga groups for the attack. In the violence that followed, a Chiru Naga civilian was killed in Noney district and several Naga villagers were abducted in Kangpokpi.

Naga groups subsequently abducted more than two dozen Kuki villagers in Senapati district.

Both communities later released 14 hostages each on May 15. However, Naga groups reportedly continued to hold 14 Kuki villagers, demanding the release of the six Naga men they believed remained in Kuki captivity.

Leaders condemn killings

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen described the deaths as an "unlawful killing" and a "heinous act of violence" that had shocked the state.

Meanwhile, Neiphiu Rio, who had played a role in securing the release of the Kuki hostages a day earlier, expressed grief over the incident.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the six Naga men whose mortal remains were recovered today. I strongly condemn this heinous act and extend my heartfelt condolences to their families," Rio said in a post on X.

The apex Kuki body, Kuki Inpi Manipur, also condemned the killings and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Background

Manipur has witnessed recurring ethnic violence involving different communities over the past several years, with disputes over land, identity and political representation often triggering tensions.

The latest hostage crisis had briefly raised hopes of reconciliation after reciprocal releases by Naga and Kuki groups. However, the recovery of the six bodies has once again heightened concerns about the fragile security situation in the region and the possibility of renewed unrest.