Manipur: Meitei hostages released after authorities agree to Kuki demand
Two Meitei hostages were freed on Thursday after the Manipur government agreed to a key demand by Kuki groups. The agreement involved transferring 11 prisoners from Sajiwa Central Jail in Imphal, a Meitei-dominated area, to Churachandpur Jail. This development comes after five days of tense negotiations and a state-wide shutdown demanding their safe rescue. The hostages were handed over to the Kangpokpi police superintendent at Gamgiphai around 5:15am in the presence of Assam Rifles officers.
Hostages safely returned to Manipur Police
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh confirmed their safe return, stating, "The two young men abducted in Kangpokpi on September 27 have been safely brought back to the custody of Manipur Police." He expressed his appreciation for everyone involved in ensuring their safe return. The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), a Kuki group from Kangpokpi, which was instrumental in getting the hostages released said this act shows the Kuki-Zo community's commitment to not harming children, the elderly, and civilians.
State-wide shutdown precedes hostage release
Before the hostages were released, Imphal was brought to a standstill on Wednesday due to a 48-hour statewide shutdown. Businesses shut down, transport services were halted, and all government institutions, schools, and colleges remained closed in protest against the abduction. The Joint Action Committee had initially called for this shutdown in Thoubal district but later extended it to cover the entire state.
