IMPHAL: Tension has cropped up again in Ukhrul district of Manipur after a passenger vehicle was reportedly hijacked and the passengers held hostage allegedly by Kuki militants on Wednesday.
Today’s incident occurred even as the Litan issue between the Kukis and the Tangkhul Nagas are yet to be resolved. Last month, clashes and arson incidents happened between the Kukis and the Tangkhul Nagas in the Litan area along Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Meanwhile, with regard to today’s incident, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex Tangkhul body, has issued a 2-hour ultimatum demanding “immediate rescue of the hostages taken by the Kuki militants at Shanghai village” under Ukhrul district. Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand also appealed to “those responsible to uphold the highest traditions of humanity and ensure the safe and unconditional release of all the civilians at the earliest”.
The Winger van carrying passengers was reportedly travelling from Ukhrul to Imphal this morning.
In a statement issued today, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) said, “Taking serious note of the abduction and taking hostage of more than 20 Naga civilian passengers including senior citizens, women and children by the Kuki militants in full view of the central security forces today at Shangkai village, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) in no uncertain term condemns the same as nothing but a pre-planned act of violence targeting the Nagas”.
The TNL then said it has completely lost its faith and confidence in central security forces “as they remain a mute spectator in allowing the Kuki militants to carry out such terrorist activities in their full presence and in broad daylight”.
The TNL also said it is a serious concern that the hostages have been taken to an undisclosed location and their whereabouts and safety cannot be confirmed at present.
According to the Tangkhul apex body, since the early morning of March 11, 2026, the Kuki militants wielding sophisticated weapons have been raiding Naga villages around Thawai Kuki area and firing rounds of shots at the innocent cultivators without any provocation, thereby causing constant panic among the villages.
In the statement, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) said, “In the given circumstances, TNL is compelled to issue this ultimatum demanding the state government and the central government to immediately rescue the hostages within 2 hours and failing which, the state government and the central government shall be held solely responsible for all the consequences that might ensue thereafter”.
Meanwhile, chief minister Yumnam Khemchand has expressed profound concern regarding the distressing situation along the Ukhrul–Imphal road, “where innocent civilians have been reportedly held captive under the area covered by Litan police station”.
The chief minister appealed to those responsible to uphold the highest traditions of humanity and ensure the safe and unconditional release of all the civilians at the earliest. He assured the families of the victims and the public that the government is treating the matter seriously and will take all necessary steps to book the culprits involved in such a cowardly act. He further said that the government is committed to the safety of every citizen of Manipur.
A statement from the chief minister’s office said that Khemchand had directed senior police and administrative officials to coordinate immediate efforts to keep a vigil of the situation and secure the release of all the civilians. He also appealed to all civil society organisations and stakeholders to help calm down the situation.
The chief minister also warned that stringent action will be taken against those found responsible for any unlawful act and urged all to shun violence.