IMPHAL: Tension is running high as 20 Nagas held hostage by “Kuki groups at Leilon Vaiphei village and at Sapermeina” under Kangpokpi district of Manipur have not been released till date. Even after intense efforts to secure the release of the Naga hostages by various Naga organisations, including the United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) and others since Wednesday, nothing encouraging has come forth till date. Following this situation, the UNC has served a 24-hour ultimatum for the release of the Naga hostages to Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh this evening.
“With due respect, the United Naga Council calls for your government’s attention for immediate action on the grave situation arising out of Kuki militant groups taking hostage of 18 Naga civilians, including women and a two year-old-baby at Leilon Vaiphei village and two Naga priests at Sapermeina village, both on May 13, 2026, and under Sapermeina police station”, the UNC ultimatum reads, adding, “This has resulted in counter actions where members of Kuki have also been detained by Naga volunteers”.
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The UNC said it has not spared efforts in reaching out to the concerned community and the relevant authorities through all available channels for the safe and unconditional release of these hostages on both sides. “Despite our sustained engagement, there has been no positive result till this moment,” it also said. The lives and liberty of innocent civilians cannot be held hostage indefinitely and such grievous acts will inevitably spiral out of control if not contained at the earliest, the UNC added.
Given the urgency of the matter, the UNC said it has no option but to place “before your government the following ultimatum for the sake of peace and also as a much needed confidence building measure to assure the public of their security and safety in the deteriorating situation obtaining in the state”, the UNC ultimatum to the chief minister stated.
The UNC, on behalf of the Nagas, demanded that immediate measures should be initiated for the safe and unconditional release of all hostages by both sides within 6 pm. May 15, 2026.
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The ultimatum then said, “The UNC, at our end, has exhausted all means and ways, and is left with no more space to diffuse the situation”. But the state has the authority, machinery and the responsibility to deliver effectively on the above mentioned humanitarian condition, the Naga body also said. “If the desired intervention is not taken up by the state government, the state shall be solely accountable and responsible for any consequences arising out of its inaction”, it warned.
Meanwhile, the Joint Tribes Council Manipur has served a 12-hour ultimatum to release the Naga civilians.
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It warned that if the Naga hostages are not released unharmed by 6 am of Friday the Kukis would be held fully accountable for all untoward incidents, consequences, or escalations that may follow. Â
Stating that the responsibility for peace rests with the Kukis, the council cautioned that the Kuki community will be held fully accountable for every blood shed, every property destroyed, and every life lost thereafter.