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Manipur Hostage Crisis Deepens as Shutdowns and Economic Blockade Continue in Hill Districts

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Imphal
  • May 19, 2026
  • 237

Normal life in the hill districts of Manipur remained severely disrupted as shutdowns and an indefinite economic blockade continued amid the ongoing hostage crisis involving Kuki and Naga communities.

The crisis intensified even as church delegations visited Kangpokpi and Senapati districts in an effort to broker peace between the two tribal communities.

United Naga Council Launches Economic Blockade

The United Naga Council (UNC) criticised the Manipur government over its failure to rescue six remaining Naga hostages allegedly held by Kuki groups.

The UNC launched an indefinite inter-district economic blockade along major national highways passing through Naga-dominated areas of Manipur. The blockade affects:

  • Imphal-Moreh National Highway
  • Imphal-Silchar National Highway
  • Imphal-Dimapur National Highway

UNC leaders stated that the blockade would continue until the safe rescue and release of all six Naga hostages, including two pastors.

Hostage Crisis in Manipur

On May 14, the UNC issued an ultimatum to the state government demanding immediate action to secure the release of the hostages. A day later, 28 people — 14 from the Kuki community and 14 from the Naga community — were released.

However, six Naga hostages are still reportedly in captivity.

UNC functionary James Hao alleged that the government had failed twice in rescue operations and said there had been no positive response despite ongoing police action.

Meanwhile, Manipur Police said efforts were continuing to trace and rescue the abducted individuals.

Kuki Zo Council Demands PM Modi’s Intervention

The Kuki Zo Council (KZC) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention in the worsening situation in Manipur.

The KZC demanded:

  • Protection for the Kuki-Zo community
  • An NIA probe into the killing of three church leaders
  • Uninterrupted supply of essential commodities
  • Deployment of additional security forces in sensitive areas
  • Relocation of examination centres to Kuki-Zo areas
  • Separate administration for the community

The council alleged that the law and order situation in the state had deteriorated significantly.

Kukis Extend Shutdown for 48 More Hours

Kuki organisations extended their total shutdown across several areas for another 48 hours after the failure to rescue the remaining Kuki hostages.

The latest unrest follows twin ambush attacks on May 13 in which:

  • Three church leaders were killed in Kangpokpi district
  • One Naga man was killed in Noney district

Kuki and Naga groups claimed that 48 people, including 28 Kukis and 20 Nagas, had been taken hostage during the violence.

However, Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said more than 38 people from both communities were being held captive.

Church Leaders Attempt Peace Talks

Chief Minister Khemchand Singh met a 10-member delegation of church leaders on Monday to discuss the escalating conflict between the tribal groups.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the church leaders volunteered to facilitate peace talks and were appreciated for their efforts to restore communal harmony in the violence-hit state.

Ethnic Violence Continues in Manipur

The hostage crisis marks another chapter in the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur, where violence has continued intermittently despite heavy deployment of security personnel.

The conflict initially erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023 and later spread to involve multiple ethnic groups across the state.

According to reports:

  • More than 260 people have died in the violence
  • Around 60,000 people have been displaced

The Meitei community, predominantly Hindu, mainly resides in the Imphal Valley, while the Kuki-Zo community, largely Christian, lives in the hill districts.

Government Claims Efforts to Maintain Ethnic Balance

Chief Minister Khemchand Singh stated that there are no formal buffer zones separating communities in Manipur, although authorities have identified several sensitive areas.

His government, formed in February after nearly a year of President’s Rule, includes representatives from the three major communities in an effort to maintain ethnic balance and restore peace in the state.