Impasse Over May 13 Killings Continues in Manipur as UNC Cancels Plan to Release Hostages

After three church leaders belonging to Thadou community were shot dead in Kangpokpi district, at least 14 Kukis and six Nagas were held hostage on May 13.

The Wire Staff

After three church leaders belonging to Thadou community were shot dead in Kangpokpi district, at least 14 Kukis and six Nagas were held hostage on May 13.

impasse over may 13 killings continues in manipur as unc cancels plan to release hostages

In this image posted on May 30, 2026, security forces conduct search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas across the districts, in Manipur. Photo: @manipur_police/X via PTI

New Delhi: The impasse over the hostage crisis in Manipur continues, with the United Naga Council (UNC) cancelling its plan to release 14 Kukis held hostage. The outfit has demanded the release of the six Naga civilians who are allegedly held captive by Kuki groups.

In a statement, the UNC said that the plan to release the Kuki hostages was "cancelled", and cited "prevailing sentiment of the Naga public" as reason, reported Economic Times.

With both the Kuki and Naga communities imposing economic blockade on NH-37, markets and schools have remained shut.

After three church leaders belonging to Thadou community were shot dead in Kangpokpi district, at least 14 Kukis and six Nagas were held hostage on May 13.

The May 13 attack took place when leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association of India (TBAI) and the United Baptist Council (UBC) were returning from a Baptist convention in Churachandpur to Kangpokpi district. According to survivors, unidentified gunmen opened fire on their two vehicles between Kotlen and Kotzim villages, at around 10 am.

Joint Tribes Council, a forum of several Naga organisations, has strongly criticised the Manipur government's alleged failure to secure release of the abducted Nagas. It has also demanded that 14 Kukis, who were similarly held hostage by the aga organisations on May 13, be kept in detention till release of the six Nagas, reported Deccan Herald.

Earlier, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma and Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio had appealed to the leaders of Naga and Kuki communities to immediately release all the hostages.

This article went live on June third, two thousand twenty six, at thirty-four minutes past eleven in the morning.

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