Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has sought Union Government intervention for the release of six abducted Naga persons and appealed for the release of 14 Kuki individuals.
Imphal, June 1: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has informed the United Naga Council (UNC) that he has sought the intervention of the Union Government to secure the safe release of six Naga individuals abducted in Manipur, while also appealing for the unconditional release of 14 Kuki persons reportedly being held by Naga volunteers.
In a letter dated May 30 addressed to UNC president NG Lorrii, Rio said the abduction of six members of the Naga community in Manipur had caused widespread concern and anguish among Nagas across the region. He stated that the Nagaland Government has been actively pursuing the matter with the Centre and relevant security agencies.
According to the Chief Minister, he held a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 29 and conveyed the deep concern of the Naga people regarding the incident. During the discussion, Rio requested the Home Minister's personal intervention and urged the Government of India to make every effort to trace the abducted individuals, identify those responsible, and secure their release at the earliest.
Rio said Amit Shah assured him that the matter would be treated with the highest priority and that all necessary measures would be undertaken by the concerned agencies to locate the abducted persons and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Chief Minister further stated that he had also spoken to the Union Home Secretary and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, stressing the urgency and sensitivity of the issue. Both officials, he said, assured him that coordinated efforts were underway to address the situation.
Expressing concern for the families of the abducted persons, Rio acknowledged the anxiety being experienced by both the relatives and the wider Naga community. He appealed to all concerned to exercise restraint and cooperate with efforts aimed at ensuring the safe recovery of the abducted individuals while maintaining peace and harmony in the region.
The letter also acknowledged the role being played by the United Naga Council during the ongoing crisis. Rio appreciated the organisation's efforts and expressed hope that cooperation and goodwill among all stakeholders would help achieve a peaceful resolution.
At the same time, the Nagaland Chief Minister made a direct appeal to the UNC to facilitate the release of 14 Kuki individuals who are reportedly being held in the custody of Naga volunteers.
He urged the council to prevail upon those involved and ensure their safe and unconditional release. Rio said that at a critical time such as this, all parties should remain guided by Christian values of compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation, as well as the long-standing Naga tradition of protecting innocent lives and upholding human dignity.
The Chief Minister also welcomed a recent appeal issued by the Christian Forum, a collective of church leaders and faith-based organisations. According to Rio, the forum had called on all parties to respect the sanctity of human life, reject violence and retaliation, and work towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
He said the forum's demand for the immediate and unconditional release of innocent persons held by any group reflected shared Christian principles and the collective responsibility of society to preserve peace, justice and human dignity.
Rio further urged the United Naga Council to continue engaging with authorities and stakeholders on the issue and to extend full support to ongoing efforts aimed at securing the safe and early release of the abducted Naga individuals.
He emphasised that the cooperation of Naga civil society organisations, church bodies and community leaders would be crucial in strengthening efforts to resolve the matter peacefully, maintain communal harmony and prevent further escalation of tensions.
The letter comes amid growing concern over the fate of the abducted Naga individuals and increasing appeals from civil society groups and community organisations for the safe release of all persons held by any group. The issue has emerged as a major concern in the already fragile security situation in parts of Manipur, where tensions remain high following recent incidents involving members of different communities.
Rio's intervention is seen as a significant step in bringing the issue to the attention of the highest levels of the Union Government while simultaneously calling for humanitarian action from all sides to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
