SENAPATI: A total of 28 hostages were released in the early hours of Friday, following coordinated releases by both the Kuki and Naga sides, with 14 individuals freed from each side between Kangpokpi and Senapati Districts in strife torn Manipur.
On the Naga side, 14 individuals, comprising both women and men, who had been detained at Ireng Liangmai village near Singda Dam and in Senapati were released.
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Likewise, the Kuki side released 14 individuals, including 12 women who had been held at Leilon Vaiphei village, along with two persons associated with the Salesian Provincial Office in Dimapur who were reportedly detained in the Sapermeina area.
However, the whereabouts of six male detainees from Konsakhul, a Naga village, who were reportedly being held at Leilon Vaiphei village, remain unknown at the time of filing this report.
One of the women released from Ireng Liangmai village recounted the ordeal, stating that they were blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs and moved through various mountainous and jungle locations during their captivity.
“We were blindfolded, our hands tied behind our back and taken up and down to various locations of the mountainous and jungle region. We even had our food blindfolded. However, we were never touched once or assaulted,” she said.
It may be noted that the Kuki hostages at Senapati were kept in an undisclosed location in a hall not blindfolded.
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No official statement has yet been issued regarding those still unaccounted for. Efforts are reportedly underway to secure the release of the remaining detainees.
It may be mentioned that a Kuki minor from Song Pehjang in Saikul and a male substance abuser, Pasat Chongloi (40) of Kuki Taphou were released by the Naga Village Guard (Northern Command) in Senapati on May 14, 2026 evening and handed over to Senapati Police.
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