Tension in Manipur as 20 Civilians Allegedly Abducted
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Imphal
- Mar 11, 2026
- 552
A renewed wave of tension has engulfed parts of Manipur’s Ukhrul district after the apex Naga civil body, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), issued a two-hour ultimatum to both the state and central governments, demanding the immediate rescue of more than 20 civilians allegedly taken hostage by Kuki militants near Shangkai village on Wednesday, March 11.
In a strongly worded statement, the organisation claimed that the captives include elderly persons, women, and children who were reportedly abducted while travelling as civilian passengers in the vicinity of Shangkai village earlier in the day.
Condemning the incident as a “premeditated act of violence targeting the Naga community,” TNL expressed deep concern over the safety and whereabouts of the abducted individuals, who are believed to have been taken to an undisclosed location.
The Naga body further alleged that the abduction occurred in the presence of central security forces, a claim that has sparked sharp criticism of their response. TNL said it had lost faith in the security forces, accusing them of acting as “silent spectators” during the incident.
According to the organisation, heavily armed militants equipped with sophisticated weapons had been carrying out raids on Naga villages around the Thawai Kuki area since early Wednesday morning. The militants allegedly opened fire at cultivators working in nearby fields without provocation, triggering panic and forcing several villagers to flee their homes in search of safety.
Describing the situation as deeply alarming, TNL said the incident has heightened fears among communities already living under persistent ethnic tensions in the region.
“In the given circumstances, we demand that the state and central governments secure the safe release of the hostages within two hours,” the organisation said, warning that both governments would be held accountable for any consequences if swift action is not taken.
The development comes amid ongoing ethnic and security concerns across several parts of Manipur, where tensions between communities have periodically flared in recent years.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Government of Manipur nor security agencies have issued an official statement regarding the alleged abduction or the ultimatum issued by the Naga organisation. Authorities are expected to intensify security deployments in the affected areas as they assess the evolving situation.