Fourteen Kuki individuals, who had been in detention since May 13, were on Tuesday released following sustained efforts by civil society organisations and community leaders. They were handed over to Senapati district authorities, a development which is likely to ease tensions which were on the rise ever since the persons concerned had been abducted.
However, as many as six Naga hostages are learnt to be still missing. Meanwhile, according to tribal groups and community leaders, the release was facilitated by assurances conveyed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah through Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio regarding efforts to trace the whereabouts of six missing Naga hostages.
Appeals from various Christian organisations and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma further contributed to the decision to proceed with the release, they added.
The 14 Kuki individuals had been taken captive on May 13 in the aftermath of an ambush in Kangpokpi district of Manipur that claimed the lives of three church leaders.
Their release was facilitated by the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, and other civil society organisations based in Senapati district.
Kuki Inpi, the apex body of Kuki tribes, also expressed gratitude to both the Centre and the Manipur Government as well as security forces and Manipur police along with the UNC and other bodies which had facilitated the release.
