IMPHAL: The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) has “strongly” condemned the “kidnapping and hostage-taking of innocent Naga civilians allegedly carried out by Kuki armed militants” and demanded their immediate and unconditional release. The organisation “firmly” warned the militant groups involved to ensure the safe release of all hostages without delay, failing which they alone shall be held responsible for any untoward consequences arising out of such unlawful and inhuman acts.
The Naga youth body said it is deeply disturbing and heart-breaking that even a toddler of merely 17 months is reportedly among those held hostage. The organisation questioned how traumatic, terrifying, and pathetic such a situation must be for an innocent child incapable of understanding the violence and hostility surrounding them. The MNYO strongly demanded the unconditional and immediate release of the child along with all innocent civilians currently in captivity.
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The organisation further stated that this is not the first incident of its kind witnessed during the ongoing crisis in Manipur. Similar instances of kidnapping, intimidation, targeted violence, and harassment of innocent civilians have occurred repeatedly over the past months, it also said. The MNYO also expressed serious concern that the “continued apathy, negligence, and failure of the Government of India to take firm, impartial, and effective action against armed elements are only aggravating the situation further and emboldening militant groups to operate with impunity”.
The MNYO also strongly condemned the “cold-blooded murder” of Wilson Thanga Chiru Naga in Joujangtek Kuki village. The Naga youth body also condemned the killing of three church workers belonging to the Thadou community in “Kuki-dominated areas” on May 13, 2026 in separate tragic incidents of ambush. In the separate ambush many innocent civilians and church workers were also seriously injured and they are being hospitalised in Imphal. “Attempting to falsely shift the blame onto the Nagas without any credible evidence is highly irresponsible, provocative, and appears to be a deliberate attempt to invite further turmoil and communal unrest in the already fragile state,” the MNYO said.
The organisation cautioned every community and organisation in Manipur against actions, propaganda, and narratives that may further divide the people and intensify hatred among communities. At this critical juncture, all stakeholders must prioritise peace, coexistence, mutual respect, and reconciliation over violence and hostility.
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The MNYO also “strongly” urged armed miscreants and vested interest groups to refrain from concocting false historical narratives and from spreading propaganda or unrealistic dreams surrounding “Kukiland,” which remains completely unacceptable to the indigenous communities of Manipur.
The organisation also urged the government to immediately confine all Suspension of Operation (SoO) cadres to their designated camps in strict adherence to the ground rules of the agreement. Further, the MNYO called upon the authorities to disarm all Kuki armed individuals and militants who are openly brandishing sophisticated weapons and allegedly moving alongside CAPF personnel, as clearly witnessed in several video footage circulating widely on social media and WhatsApp platforms.
The organisation then appealed to the government to provide adequate compensation and fitting ex-gratia to the families of the deceased and to all injured victims affected by the ongoing violence and unrest. The MNYO also conveyed its heartfelt wishes for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the recent incidents.
The MNYO then urged all citizens to use social media responsibly and refrain from spreading unverified allegations, misinformation, hate speech, or blaming any organisation or community without proper verification and evidence, as such irresponsible actions may further escalate tensions in the already peace-fragile state of Manipur.
The organisation reiterated that lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, accountability, sincerity, and mutual respect among all communities inhabiting the state.