Taphou Villagers Protest as Families Accuse Authorities of Abandoning 14 Kuki-Zo Hostages

An atmosphere of deep grief, mounting anger, and emotional exhaustion engulfed Taphou Kuki Village in Kangpokpi district as families of the 14 abducted villagers, joined by hundreds of residents, intensified their sustained peaceful sit-in protest demanding urgent intervention from both the Centre and the State government for the safe and unconditional release of their loved ones held hostage in Senapati district since May 13.

For several consecutive days, men, women, elderly villagers, and children have gathered in solidarity at the protest site, turning the once peaceful border village into a powerful symbol of pain, resilience, and collective resistance. Villagers declared that the agitation would continue indefinitely until all the hostages are brought home safely.

The protest has increasingly become a desperate attempt to draw the attention of the authorities amid what villagers described as the “complete failure” and “inhuman silence” of the district administrations despite the prolonged humanitarian crisis faced by the affected families.

Addressing the gathering during the protest today, family members of the hostages openly accused both the Kangpokpi and Senapati district administrations of evading responsibility while innocent civilians continue to suffer in captivity.

“Taphou Kuki Village falls administratively under Kangpokpi district, while law and order in the area falls under Senapati district administration. Because of this divided jurisdiction, both district administrations appear to have completely avoided responsibility in addressing our grievances,” a family member stated emotionally before the gathering.

Ngahneikim Chongloi, one of the hostages’ family members, alleged that since the abduction incident on May 13, the Kangpokpi district administration had remained “nothing more than a mere silent spectator” while families continue to endure unbearable suffering every single day.

According to the villagers, on the afternoon of May 13, a total of 25 Taphou Kuki villagers returning home after a day-long work were abducted near the Senapati–Kangpokpi border area along National Highway-2, allegedly in the presence of Senapati Police personnel and central security forces deployed along the highway.

While some were later released, 14 villagers — including three students — continue to remain hostage despite repeated humanitarian appeals made by family members, civil society groups, village authorities, and community organizations.

“These fourteen villagers are the sole breadwinners of their families. Their continued absence has pushed entire households into immense physical, financial, mental, and emotional hardship. Children are suffering, elderly parents are helpless, and families are living in fear and uncertainty every day,” Chongloi said.

Strongly condemning those involved in the abduction “directly or indirectly,” Chongloi also denounced attempts to drag “outside conflicts and vested interests” into an area that had long remained peaceful despite differences in religion, community, and identity.

“Human lives are not bargaining tools. Innocent villagers must never be used as leverage for anyone’s personal agenda or political interests,” she asserted.

Making an emotional appeal through the ongoing protest, the family members urged “whoever is responsible — whether individuals, organizations, or associations — to immediately release the remaining fourteen family members safely and unconditionally.”

The villagers further appealed directly to both the State and Central governments to intervene without delay, stating that the prolonged silence and lack of decisive action from the authorities have only deepened the suffering of innocent families.

Another family member, while narrating the emotional trauma endured over the past several weeks, said, “It has been almost a month now. We are living through unbearable pain and trauma. We cannot eat properly, we cannot sleep peacefully, and every single day feels endless for us. Every morning begins with hope, but every night ends in exhaustion, fear, and heartbreak.”

She further lamented that among the remaining hostages were three students whose education had come to a complete halt due to the prolonged captivity.

“They are innocent students. They deserve to be in classrooms, not in captivity. Please release them along with the others on the highest humanitarian grounds and reunite us with our loved ones,” she appealed.

Villagers reiterated that the peaceful sit-in protest would continue until all the hostages are released “safe and sound,” asserting that the entire village now stands united in solidarity with the affected families in what they described as a fight for humanity, justice, and the safe return of innocent lives.