UNC issued a memorandum to Amit Shah seeking intervention in the Naga hostage crisis and released a press statement rebutting KOHUR allegations.
Imphal, May 21: The United Naga Council (UNC) on Thursday issued a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking urgent intervention for the release of six Naga civilians allegedly held hostage by the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P) and individuals from Leilon Vaiphei village, while also releasing a separate press statement rebutting allegations made by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR).
In the memorandum submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati district, the UNC appealed for immediate action to resolve what it described as a “grave and rapidly worsening situation” in Manipur.
According to the council, 18 Naga civilians, including men, women and married couples, were allegedly abducted in broad daylight from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13 between 10:30 am and 10:50 am. The memorandum stated that 12 women and a baby were later released on May 15, while six others, including two pastors, continued to remain in captivity.
The UNC claimed eyewitnesses present during the incident had confirmed that the remaining six hostages were still in Kuki custody. It further alleged that information gathered from “reliable sources” indicated the hostages may have been killed while in the custody of KNF-P, though no official confirmation regarding their condition has been issued so far.
The council criticised what it described as the “indecisiveness and inaction” of the Manipur government in addressing the hostage situation. It questioned why state authorities and central security forces had not succeeded in securing the release of the captives despite several days having passed since the incident.
The memorandum also referred to allegations involving a politician with link to certain Kuki armed group claiming that concerns were being raised among the public regarding whether political interference had affected the handling of the crisis.
The UNC urged the Union Home Minister to ensure that the hostages were handed over “dead or alive” without further delay and appealed for urgent intervention to prevent further escalation of tensions in the state.
In a separate press statement issued the same day, the Working Committee of the UNC responded to KOHUR’s May 19 statement concerning the ongoing violence and hostage crisis.
The UNC accused KOHUR of avoiding the central issue of ensuring the safety and release of the captives and alleged that the organisation had instead attempted to divert attention through what it termed “concocted narratives.”
The statement rejected allegations linking Naga groups such as the Zeliangrong United Front and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) to the killing of Dr. Sitlhou and others during the recent violence.
According to the UNC, the May 13 ambush had turned a previously peaceful area into a conflict zone. The organisation alleged that Kuki groups subsequently took Naga civilians hostage and also referred to the killing of a Chiru Naga individual on the same day.
The UNC further stated that the Naga community had exercised restraint and relied on authorities to resolve the crisis rather than retaliating. It said such restraint should not be interpreted as weakness.
The press statement also criticised KOHUR for allegedly failing to condemn the killings and hostage-taking incidents. The UNC maintained that its immediate priority remained securing the safe release of the remaining captives and preventing further violence in the state.
