Fourteen Kuki persons who had been held hostage in Manipur since May 13 were released on Tuesday by the United Naga Council and Naga civil society organisations, said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

They were released at the district headquarters in Senapati on “humanitarian grounds” at about 3.36 pm in the presence of personnel from the state police, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces and district administration officials, Ukhrul Times reported.

Ng Lohro, the president of the United Naga Council, said that he hoped the six Naga men who continue to be held by armed groups would be released soon.

On May 13, more than 38 persons from the Kuki and Naga communities had been taken hostage by armed groups in the state’s Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, said Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam.

The abductions had taken place after three church leaders were killed and five others injured when the vehicles they were travelling in were ambushed while they were returning from a meeting in Churachandpur to Kangpokpi. Another civilian was also killed and his wife wounded in Noney district.

On May 15, the Manipur Police said that 28 of the persons who had been abducted were released.

The 14 Kuki persons were to be released on June 1. However, the release was cancelled after protests by some Naga groups.

On Tuesday, the Nagaland chief minister said that the release of the Kuki hostages “reflects our respect for human life, commitment to human rights and belief that even amidst conflict, humanity must prevail”.

He added that he hoped the development would “contribute to restoring trust, healing divisions and paving the way for lasting peace in Manipur”.

Paotinkai Chongloi, one of the hostages who was released, said that they had been “well treated” and were provided with “the best food available in the area”.

“We have learned a great thing from our Naga brothers,” he said. “They have been extraordinary, special and unique.”

After the attack on May 13, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, Kuki Inpi Manipur, had alleged that the armed Naga group Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson faction was behind the actions. However, the authorities said that the involvement of militant outfits was being investigated.

The developments come amid tensions between Kukis and Nagas in Ukhrul that had erupted on February 7 after an alleged assault involving members of the Tangkhul Naga and the Kuki-Zo communities escalated into clashes.

The fresh violence came against the backdrop of the ethnic clashes that broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities in the state in May 2023, leaving at least 260 persons dead and more than 59,000 persons displaced. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024 and 2025.

Inputs from Rokibuz Zaman. Edited by Sneha.