Humanitarian gesture follows appeals from church bodies and political leaders; focus now shifts to tracing six Naga individuals still unaccounted for
Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC) facilitated the release of 14 Kuki hostages, raising hopes for a breakthrough in the ongoing hostage crisis involving six missing Naga individuals.
The released hostages were handed over to the Senapati district administration, police, Assam Rifles and other security agencies after consultations involving Naga civil society groups, community leaders and government authorities.
UNC president Ng Lorho said the decision was driven by humanitarian considerations and the Naga community’s commitment to human rights and ethical conduct. “The release was facilitated because Nagas uphold war ethics, international law and human rights,” Lorho said.
The UNC President further added that assurances reportedly conveyed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding efforts to trace the six missing Nagas also influenced the decision.
The crisis traces its origins to violence following an ambush in the Senapati-Kangpokpi region in May. While several detainees from both communities were released through negotiations, 14 Kukis and six Nagas remained at the centre of the standoff.
One of the released hostages, Paotinkai Chongloi, said the group spent 27 days in custody and was treated with dignity.“We have learned a great lesson from our Naga brothers. They provided food, clothing and shelter. I appeal to my people to release the six Naga hostages on humanitarian grounds,” he said.
Welcoming the development, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio urged the reciprocal and safe release of the six missing Nagas, expressing hope that the gesture would foster “trust, understanding and dialogue” in the region.
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