The United Naga Council (UNC) has announced an inter‑district economic blockade of Naga areas in Manipur after accusing Kuki militant groups of continuing to hold six Naga civilians — including two pastors — despite repeated government deadlines to secure their release.
In a statement from the UNC Media Cell, the council said it had issued an ultimatum to the Manipur government on 14 May for the immediate and safe release of 20 Naga hostages held at Leilon Vaiphei and Sapermaina Kuki villages within 24 hours. On the morning of 15 May, 14 of the hostages were released, but the fate of the remaining six remained uncertain, the UNC said.
The state government subsequently sought more time — until 2 pm on 16 May — to trace and free the remaining captives. That deadline was deferred twice to allow authorities to continue search operations, the UNC added. Despite the extensions, the six Naga civilians were still being held and, the UNC alleged, state agencies had been unable to locate or rescue them after the revised deadlines had passed.
“Given the situation, we are constrained to launch an Inter‑District Economic Blockade along the National Highways in the Naga areas in Manipur with immediate effect until the safe rescue and release of the Naga hostages are duly carried out,” the UNC Media Cell said.
On 13 May, an ambush by unknown gunmen in Kangpokpi district left three Thadou Church leaders dead and five others injured. The deceased were identified as TBAI president Reverend Vumthang Sitlhou, TBAI finance secretary Reverend Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou. Reverend Vumthang had recently headed a delegation of Kuki Christian leaders into neighbouring Nagaland in an effort to mediate peace between Kukis and Tangkhul Nagas in Manipur’s troubled Kamjong and Ukhrul districts.
The attack provoked a wave of retaliatory and preventative abductions and detentions on both sides, deepening an already volatile security situation. Around 20 Nagas of Konsakhul village were reportedly held hostage by people from Leilon Vaiphei village soon after the ambush. In response to the abduction, around 23 Kuki individuals were detained by locals in Senapati district on the same day.