Confrontation at Kangpokpi's Saparmeina triggered by misunderstanding amid hostage crisis; Kuki-Zo Women Say ‘Innocent Appeal’ To CRPF Misconstrued

A brief confrontation between Kuki-Zo womenfolk and a CRPF convoy at Saparmeina in Kangpokpi district on Thursday was the result of a “misunderstanding” born out of the desperation of mothers pleading for the rescue of Kuki-Zo hostages held captive in Senapati, a Kuki-Zo women leader said.

Clarifying the incident, Kuki-Zo women leaders asserted that there was never any intention to obstruct the movement of security forces along the highway, but rather an emotional and innocent attempt by distressed mothers to convey their anguish and appeal for urgent intervention to save their loved ones.

According to the women leaders, a group of Kuki-Zo mothers, deeply shaken and emotionally overwhelmed by the continued captivity of Kuki-Zo hostages in Senapati, approached and briefly stopped vehicles at Saparmeina in the hope that the security personnel could help rescue their people.

“The mothers acted out of pain, helplessness and hope. Their intention was never to block or challenge the security forces, but simply to convey their sentiments and plead for the safe rescue of their people,” a Kuki-Zo women leader, Margaret, said.

She stated that the women were initially unaware that the vehicles formed part of a CRPF convoy and believed security personnel had been deployed in the area amid the tense situation.

“At no point was there any organised attempt to obstruct security movement. Traditionally, Kuki-Zo women have never blocked security convoys even during protests or shutdowns. Had there been such an intention, it could have happened from the very beginning of the ongoing shutdown,” she said.

However, amid the prevailing tensions and the ongoing total shutdown called by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the CRPF personnel reportedly perceived the gathering as an obstruction to convoy movement, leading to a brief confrontation.

The situation, however, was quickly defused after timely intervention by Kuki-Zo community leaders, who explained the circumstances to the women, following which the convoy was allowed to proceed peacefully.

Margaret expressed disappointment that portions of social media and some mainstream media platforms were “too quick” to portray the incident as a deliberate obstruction of security movement without verifying the facts on the ground.

“It is unfortunate that the innocent gesture of desperate mothers was misconstrued and projected wrongly. These were emotionally shattered women trying to appeal to the security forces to rescue their captive people. Their desperation should not be twisted into hostility,” she said.

Appealing to the public and security agencies not to misinterpret the incident, the women leader urged all sides to acknowledge the emotional trauma and desperation of families awaiting the safe return of their loved ones.

She also called upon the media to exercise restraint and responsibility while reporting such sensitive incidents, warning that presumptive narratives and misinformation could further inflame tensions.

The women leaders further appealed to security forces to remain vigilant across all vulnerable and sensitive areas instead of concentrating only in select locations, while urging all communities to maintain mutual understanding and restraint during the ongoing crisis.