United Naga Council has accused Kuki militants of abducting 18 Naga civilians in Kangpokpi district and demanded immediate release of six remaining hostages.
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Imphal, May 19: The United Naga Council (UNC) on Tuesday accused Kuki militants of abducting 18 Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13 and alleged that the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) was attempting to “shield the perpetrators” by denying knowledge of the six remaining hostages.
In a press statement issued by its Media Cell, the UNC said the abduction took place between around 10:30 am and 10:50 am while the victims were travelling between Konsakhul village and Leimakhong area. The council also referred to the abduction of two Salesian brothers at Saparmeina village under Saparmeina Police Station on the same day.
According to the statement, Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai was travelling towards Leimakhong in a car along with his wife Kachiaklungliu Thiumai, his elder sister Chonmila and family friends Leishiwon Lama and Rosy Lama when they were intercepted.
The UNC stated that another group led by Phenrilung Chawang was travelling in an auto-rickshaw along with his wife Wibonliu Chawang and relatives Chalunkingliu Chawang, Pawangbonliu Thiumai, Lungrailiu Bariam, Widimliu Thiumai and Dingamliu Abonmai.
The council further said Pastor Kenpibou was travelling on a motorcycle with Phenroungwi Thiumai, while Dilip Thiumai was travelling towards Konsakhul village on a scooty with his wife Winiliu Thiumai and their minor daughter Sarah Thiumai. Kaliwangbou Abonmai was reportedly travelling alone in another auto-rickshaw towards Konsakhul village.
According to the UNC, the victims were travelling in five separate vehicles when they were allegedly intercepted and abducted by “Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei village in collusion with Mr. Lalboi, Chief of Leilon Vaiphei.”
The statement said 12 female hostages, including an infant, were released on May 14. However, the whereabouts of the remaining six male hostages — Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai, Pastor Kenpibou, Phenrilung Chawang, Dilip Thiumai, Phenroungwi Thiumai and Kaliwangbou Abonmai — remain unknown.
The UNC claimed that the last phone call made to Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai was around 10:50 am on the day of the incident, after which his phone became unreachable.
Referring to recent statements made by KIM, the council alleged that it was “unbelievable” for the organisation to claim that it had no knowledge of the unreleased hostages or that they were not in Kuki custody despite eyewitness accounts.
“The entire incident was witnessed by surviving victims and co-passengers who witnessed the six male hostages being violently dragged out of vehicles in front of their wives, children and fellow civilians,” the statement said.
The UNC further alleged that KIM’s denial was “a deliberate attempt to shield the perpetrators and cover up the truth.”
The council also accused KIM of spreading “calculated misinformation” instead of supporting justice and humanity. According to the statement, the organisation’s conduct indicated “complicity in the hostage taking and the ambush of Thadou Christian leaders on 13th May 2026.”
The UNC claimed that the May 13 ambush on Thadou church leaders between Kotlen and Kotzim, the kidnapping of Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei village and the abduction of two Salesian brothers at Saparmeina indicated “premeditated attacks.”
It further alleged that an “innocent Chiru Naga civilian” was killed on the same day in an attempt to divert public attention, following which protest rallies were allegedly organised in Kangpokpi, Saikul and Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Demanding immediate action, the council said KIM must reveal the whereabouts and condition of the six remaining hostages. It stated that if the hostages were alive, they should be released unconditionally and without delay.
“If they have been killed, their mortal remains must be handed over immediately to their families so that they may be given a dignified Christian burial according to their faith and traditions,” the statement said.
The UNC also asserted that “denial cannot erase reality and lies cannot bury the truth.”
