Two Meitei hostages were released on Thursday after authorities in Manipur agreed to a significant demand from Kuki groups. This agreement involved transferring 11 prisoners from Sajiwa Central Jail, located in the Meitei-dominated area of Imphal, to Churachandpur Jail. The Kuki militants had previously abducted three Meitei individuals on Friday, releasing one of them the following day.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on X that the two young men, who were kidnapped in Kangpokpi on September 27, had safely returned to the custody of the Manipur Police. He expressed gratitude to both state and central government officials for their relentless efforts to secure the hostages’ safe return, emphasizing that their work was deeply appreciated.
After five days of tense negotiations, the hostages were handed over to the police superintendent of Kangpokpi in the presence of Assam Rifles officers at around 5:15 a.m. Officials confirmed that the two individuals were unharmed during their ordeal.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), a Kuki group based in Kangpokpi, played a crucial role in facilitating the hostages’ release. COTU spokesperson Kaimonlen Silthou highlighted that the incident underscores the Kuki-Zo community’s commitment to not harming children, the elderly, or civilians, even amid ongoing violence with the Meitei community.
The efforts to secure the hostages involved continuous negotiations between the chief of Manipur Police and Kuki organizations in Kangpokpi that began on Monday. Kuki groups negotiating the hostages’ release insisted on the transfer of prisoners, which prompted a 48-hour shutdown that paralyzed Imphal on Wednesday in protest.
As a result, businesses closed, and transportation services were suspended. All government institutions, schools, and colleges were shut down due to Gandhi Jayanti observances.
The Joint Action Committee, formed to advocate for the two youths’ release, initially called for a shutdown starting at 3 a.m. on Tuesday in the Thoubal district. By late Tuesday evening, the committee extended the bandh to encompass the entire state.
Manipur has experienced escalating violence between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis since May 3 of last year, leading to significant unrest in the region.