Kuki Inpi Manipur Backs Mass Protests Over Hostage Crisis, Demands Immediate Release of Civilians

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Saturday stated that the democratic demonstrations being organised across Kuki-Zo areas are a direct response to the continued illegal detention and hostage-taking of innocent Kuki civilians.

In a statement, the apex body said the peaceful agitations were aimed at collectively expressing the “anguish, pain, and growing frustration” of the Kuki-Zo people over what it described as an ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the unlawful captivity of civilians.

As part of the coordinated protests, a sit-in demonstration was organised in Kangpokpi district under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), while a “Mass Rally” was simultaneously held in Churachandpur in solidarity with the affected families and to protest the continued hostage situation. KIM said other Kuki-Zo dominated districts were also expected to stage similar democratic agitations in a united demand for justice, security, and human dignity.

The organisation said the principal demands of the agitation include the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all remaining hostages, along with the urgent implementation of the Charter of Demands earlier submitted by KIM to the Government. The charter reportedly concerns the continued persecution, targeted violence, insecurity faced by the Kuki-Zo people, and the killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders.

KIM maintained that the continued captivity of civilians constitutes a “grave violation of constitutional and humanitarian principles,” adding that the affected families continue to endure fear, uncertainty, and emotional distress without assurance regarding the safety of their loved ones.

“The suffering inflicted upon the families of the detainees is immense and unbearable,” the statement said, noting that the situation has created a deeply disturbing humanitarian crisis within the affected communities.

The organisation further asserted that hostage-taking and illegal detention of civilians are “acts of terror” that cannot be tolerated in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. It warned that any failure by authorities to intervene decisively could embolden lawlessness and further destabilise the fragile situation in the region.

Kuki Inpi Manipur urged the Government and all concerned authorities to act with urgency and responsibility to secure the immediate release of all remaining hostages and address the grievances and demands of the Kuki-Zo people without further delay.

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic means of protest, KIM said the Kuki-Zo people would continue their agitation “with unity, discipline, and resolve” until their Charter of Demands is fulfilled. It also stated that solemn mourning would continue in remembrance of those killed, while warning that the community’s restraint and patience “must never be mistaken for acceptance of injustice.”