Manipur Hostage Crisis: 31 Of 38 Captives Released At Separate Locations.

Imphal; May 2026: Today, on 15th May 2026, 31 of the 38 people belonging to different communities who were held hostage by armed groups during recent violence in Manipur’s Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, have been released. However, 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village, who were allegedly held captive by armed Kuki militants, were released today morning at Makhan village, but 06 Naga men remain untraceable, local police authorities have informed.

According to the State Home Minister K. Govindas Konthoujam, more than 38 persons from different communities were taken hostage from various areas of Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on 13th May afternoon following escalating tensions and violent incidents in the region.

Officials also confirmed that 02 Salesian brothers of Don Bosco, including 01 from Nagaland, were released separately by armed Kuki groups. One of the women released from Konsakhul village has recounted the traumatic experience she and the other hostages endured during captivity while speaking to central security officials after her release.

According to her description, the captives were blindfolded and repeatedly taken through mountainous and forested areas, moved from one location to another under armed escort. She said their hands were initially tied behind their backs while being forced to walk through difficult terrain. The woman stated that although their hands were later untied, they remained blindfolded for most of the period of captivity. “We were even made to eat food while blindfolded”, she reportedly told officials.

Despite the fear and harsh conditions, she said they were not physically assaulted during their detention. Meanwhile, 14 Kuki individuals, including 04 men and 10 women who were allegedly held in Senapati district, were handed over to security forces late Thursday (14th May) night. Earlier, the same evening, 03 more persons, including an 18 years old woman and a 40 years old man from the Kuki community, were separately handed over to state police by volunteers of a local youth group. A Meitei individual married to a tribal woman had also been released earlier.

In a statement, the Naga Village Guard, Northern Command, said a woman hostage was released on humanitarian grounds considering her age and gender following requests from civil society organisations (CSOs) in Senapati district. It also stated that a Meitei individual was handed over to police after verification of his identity. “Furthermore, we want to make it very clear that no individuals from the Zomi community were detained within the Senapati jurisdiction”, the statement added.

Families reunited after the release of the detained persons, with emotional scenes witnessed at several handover points as relatives embraced their loved ones after days of uncertainty. Meanwhile, Kuki organisations, including the Taphou Kuki Village Authority, alleged that 23 villagers from Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district were being held hostage by Naga groups.

The Senapati-based Tahazam Youth Forum claimed responsibility for detaining several villagers from Taphou Kuki village, describing it as retaliation for the alleged abduction of 18 Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13th.

Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) urged Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to ensure the release of all remaining hostages by 18:00 hours today (Friday, 15th May 2026), while Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) issued a similar ultimatum demanding the release of all captives by 17:00 hours.

In the meantime, taking into cognizance the recent escalation – Government Of India has extended, by another 06 months, the Manipur violence probe panel tenure till November 20th this year, The Ministry of Home yesterday (Thursday, 14th Nay 2026) offered another 06 months extension, till November 20, to a Commission of Inquiry to submit its report on the probe into the 2023 Manipur violence that claimed more than 260 lives, a government.

The three-member panel, now headed by former Supreme Court judge Balbir Singh Chauhan, was formed on June 04th, 2023, in the aftermath of the ethnic violence that broke out in the northeastern state in May 2023. It was initially headed by former Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajai Lamba, who resigned with effect from February 28th. Justice Chauhan took charge on March 01. According to the notification published in the gazette yesterday, the commission shall submit its report to the Centre “as soon as possible but not later than the 20th November, 2026”.

The panel is probing the sequence of events and facts relating to the ethnic violence that broke out in the state on May 03rd, 2023, after a “Tribal Solidarity March” was organised in the hill districts. The protest was held against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The ensuing violence claimed more than 260 lives.

The violence was preceded by earlier tensions over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, leading to a series of smaller agitations. The Centre constituted the commission on the recommendation of the Manipur government, citing the necessity of an inquiry into a matter of public importance.

The scope of the inquiry includes ascertaining whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty on the part of any of the authorities or individuals responsible. The panel is also assessing the adequacy of the administrative measures taken to prevent and deal with the violence and riots. The commission is looking into the complaints or allegations submitted by any individual or association.

The panel has been given extensions earlier, a number of times to submit its report since then:

• September 13, 2024,
• December 3, 2024,
• May 20, 2025, 
• December 16, 2025,
• May 14, 2026.

Yesterday’s order becomes the fifth one. In its last extension dated December 16, 2025, the Union home ministry had given the commission time till May 20, 2026 to submit its report.

Team Maverick.