Families of abducted Taphou villagers intensify sit-in protest in Kangpokpi, accuse authorities of inaction

Families of 14 abducted villagers from Taphou Kuki Village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district have intensified their sit-in protest, demanding immediate intervention from both the Centre and the State government to secure the safe and unconditional release of their relatives who have remained hostage since May 13.

The ongoing protest, which has continued for several consecutive days, has drawn participation from hundreds of villagers, including women, elderly residents, and children. Protesters stated that the agitation would continue indefinitely until all the hostages are released safely.

An atmosphere of grief and growing frustration prevailed at the protest site as family members accused the authorities of failing to respond adequately to the prolonged humanitarian crisis. Villagers alleged that both the Kangpokpi and Senapati district administrations had avoided responsibility due to jurisdictional issues surrounding the area where the abduction took place.

Addressing the gathering, a family member stated that while Taphou Kuki Village falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Kangpokpi district, law and order in the area is handled by the Senapati district administration. According to the villagers, this division has resulted in a lack of accountability and delayed action in addressing their grievances.

Family member Ngahneikim Chongloi alleged that since the abduction incident on May 13, the district administration in Kangpokpi had remained largely inactive despite repeated appeals from the affected families and community organisations.

According to villagers, 25 residents of Taphou Kuki Village were abducted on May 13 while returning home after work near the Senapati–Kangpokpi border along National Highway-2. The villagers alleged that the incident occurred in the presence of Senapati Police personnel and central security forces deployed in the area.

While some of the abducted individuals were later released, 14 villagers, including three students, continue to remain in captivity.

Family members said the prolonged absence of the hostages has pushed several households into severe financial, emotional, and psychological distress. They stated that many of those still held captive are the sole earning members of their families.

Speaking during the protest, Chongloi condemned those allegedly involved in the abduction and appealed against bringing external conflicts into an area that had remained peaceful despite differences among communities.

She stated that innocent civilians should not be used for political or personal interests and urged those responsible to release the remaining hostages on humanitarian grounds.

Family members also appealed directly to the State and Central governments to intervene urgently, stating that the continued delay in decisive action had deepened the suffering of the affected families.

Another relative of one of the hostages described the emotional trauma endured by the families over the past several weeks, stating that daily life had become increasingly difficult amid uncertainty surrounding the fate of their loved ones.

She further noted that three students remain among the hostages and said their education had come to a halt due to the prolonged captivity.

The protesters reiterated that the sit-in agitation would continue until all 14 hostages are released “safe and sound,” with villagers maintaining that the movement represents a collective demand for justice, humanitarian intervention, and the safe return of the abducted civilians.