Naga groups in Manipur are protesting to demand the unconditional release of six Naga hostages allegedly held by Kuki militants [1].
The demonstrations reflect deepening ethnic fractures in the region, where abductions and killings have paralyzed hill districts and threatened indigenous stability.
Protests led by the Kovru Range Naga Women’s Union took place in Lelon Waifei village within the Kangpokpi district [1]. The group said the abductions constitute a demographic invasion that threatens the indigenous Naga people [1].
The current crisis is part of a larger wave of instability involving multiple captives. Reports indicate that 38 people were taken hostage in total across the crisis [1]. While some sources state that 31 of those 38 hostages have been released [2], others specify that six Naga individuals remain in captivity [1].
Violence accompanying these tensions has resulted in several fatalities. Three church leaders were killed during the unrest [3], and one civilian also died [3].
Local groups continue to call for the immediate freedom of the remaining captives to prevent further escalation between the Kuki and Naga communities. The protests in Kangpokpi serve as a focal point for demands for security, and the restoration of law and order in the affected villages [1].
“Six Naga individuals are being held hostage”
The hostage crisis in Manipur underscores the volatile nature of ethnic competition over land and identity in India's northeast. The specific tension between Naga and Kuki groups indicates that the regional instability is not a binary conflict but a complex web of overlapping territorial claims. The targeting of church leaders and civilians suggests that the conflict is eroding traditional social pillars, potentially prolonging the cycle of violence.
