UNC Says Kuki Inpi Manipur Must Immediately Reveal Whereabouts of Six Naga Hostages

Rejecting the statement made by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) that it has no knowledge of the six unreleased Naga male hostages and that they are not in Kuki custody, the United Naga Council (UNC) stated that KIM must immediately reveal the whereabouts of the six hostages.

“If they are alive, they must be released unconditionally and without delay. If they have been killed, their mortal remains must be handed over immediately to their families so that they may be given a dignified Christian burial according to their faith and traditions. Denial cannot erase reality and lies cannot bury the truth,” the UNC said in a release.

In connection with the abduction and hostage-taking incident at Leilon Vaiphei, the UNC stated that at the time of the abduction, Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai was travelling towards Leimakhong in a Verna car bearing registration number MN05A-7501 along with his wife, Kachiaklungliu Thiumai; his elder sister, Chonmila; and family friends Leishiwon Lama and Rosy Lama. Phenrilung Chawang was travelling in an auto-rickshaw bearing registration number AS11CC-7414 along with his wife, Wibonliu Chawang, and relatives namely Chalunkingliu Chawang, Pawangbonliu Thiumai, Lungrailiu Bariam, Widimliu Thiumai, and Dingamliu Abonmai.

Pastor Kenpibou was travelling towards Leimakhong on a Pulsar motorcycle bearing registration number AS04W-5917 along with Phenroungwi Thiumai.

Dilip Thiumai was travelling towards Konsakhul village on a scooty bearing registration number MN06SH-3096 along with his wife, Winiliu Thiumai, and their minor daughter, Sarah Thiumai. Kaliwangbou Abonmai was travelling alone towards Konsakhul village in an auto-rickshaw bearing registration number MN01Y-3570.

The Naga body stated that the victims were travelling in five separate vehicles towards Leimakhong and their respective destinations when they were “intercepted and abducted by Kuki militants” from Leilon Vaiphei village “in collusion with Lalboi, Chief of Leilon Vaiphei.” Out of the 18 hostages, 12 females, including an infant, were released on May 14.

However, the whereabouts and safety of the remaining six male hostages — Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai, pastor of Leimakhong Baptist Church; Pastor Kenpibou of Juna West (Harup); Phenrilung Chawang; Dilip Thiumai; Phenroungwi Thiumai; and Kaliwangbou Abonmai — remain unknown till date.

The UNC said it has confirmed that the last phone call made to Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai was at about 10:50, after which his phone was switched off.

“It is unbelievable that with all the facts, living witnesses at the scene, and the material evidence showing that 18 innocent Naga civilians, including men, women, and married couples, were taken hostage together in broad daylight at Leilon Vaiphei village, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) would brazenly claim that they have no knowledge of the six unreleased male hostages and that they are not in Kuki custody,” the release stated.

The UNC added that the entire incident was witnessed by surviving victims and co-passengers, who allegedly saw the six male hostages being violently dragged out of vehicles in front of their wives, children, and fellow civilians.

“KIM’s denial, despite overwhelming eyewitness accounts, is not merely suspicious but a deliberate attempt to shield the perpetrators and cover up the truth,” the Naga body stated, adding that KIM’s statement had exposed its “contradictions, deception, and moral bankruptcy.”

“Instead of standing for justice and humanity, KIM has chosen propaganda through calculated misinformation,” the release added.

The UNC further stated that such conduct confirms “complicity in the hostage-taking and the ambush of Thadou Christian leaders on May 13,” adding that no responsible organisation representing a community and advocating Christian values should distort indisputable facts while innocent human beings are allegedly being held hostage or, at worst, already killed in cold blood.

The UNC also stated that the ambush on Thadou church leaders on May 13 between Kotlen and Kotzim, the kidnapping of 18 Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei village, and the abduction of two Salesians at Saparmeina are strongly indicative of premeditated attacks.

“To cover their crimes and divert public attention, they blamed the Nagas and killed an innocent Chiru Naga civilian on that very day. Thereafter, the Kukis, led by KIM and KSO, enacted dramas of protest rallies in Kangpokpi, Saikul, Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, etc.,” the release added.