Fourteen Kuki men who had been held for nearly a month were released by Naga groups in Manipur’s Senapati district on Tuesday, marking a significant development in efforts to ease tensions between the two communities. The release came after weeks of negotiations and one previously unsuccessful attempt to secure their freedom. However, uncertainty remains over the whereabouts of six Naga men who are believed to be missing and allegedly in the custody of the Kuki side.

According to officials, the 14 Kuki men were handed over at Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, where most of them belong. Their release was carried out peacefully and followed extensive discussions among community leaders and local stakeholders. Authorities said the men had been safely reunited with their families after spending several weeks in captivity.

The issue of the six missing Naga men continues to be a major concern for community leaders and security agencies. Naga groups had reportedly hoped that holding the Kuki men would increase pressure on the other side to facilitate the return of the missing Nagas. Despite the release of the captives, no concrete information has emerged regarding the location or condition of the six men.

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A senior police official confirmed that search operations and investigations remain ongoing. Security agencies are continuing efforts to trace the missing individuals and gather information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding their disappearance. Officials have appealed for cooperation from local communities to assist in the search process.

Leaders of Naga organizations said the release was made possible through dialogue and consensus-building among various groups in the Senapati district. Representatives stressed that the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds and in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region. Community leaders also expressed hope that the gesture would encourage further efforts toward resolving outstanding issues.

The development comes against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic tensions in parts of Manipur, where incidents involving different communities have periodically raised security concerns. While the release of the 14 Kuki men has been welcomed as a positive step, authorities and community representatives maintain that the issue cannot be considered fully resolved until the fate of the six missing Naga men is determined and all affected families receive clarity.

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