Manipur: Families of 14 Kuki hostages renew appeal for safe release as protest enters fourth week

Families of 14 Kuki hostages renewed their appeal for the safe and unconditional release of their loved ones on Monday as Kuki women from Kangpokpi town joined an ongoing peaceful sit-in protest at Taphou Kuki village, expressing solidarity with relatives who have been awaiting the captives' return for nearly a month.

The women, led by the Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organisation (KWWO) under the aegis of the Kangpokpi Town Committee (KTC), travelled to Taphou Kuki village to extend support to the affected families, who have spent the past 27 days seeking assistance and intervention for the release of the hostages.

As part of the condolence service, the delegation handed over financial assistance collected from residents of Kangpokpi town to the families of the hostages. The assistance was presented during a gathering held at the residence of Taphou Kuki village chief Lenkhomang Chongloi in the presence of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen, Kangpokpi Town Committee chairman Seilam Singsit and other village leaders.

The protest site witnessed a large gathering of women, villagers and family members who participated in a symbolic prayer along the highway, seeking peace, harmony and the safe return of the 14 captives. The event reflected a collective expression of concern and support for families who continue to face uncertainty regarding the fate of their relatives.

Members of the Kangpokpi women’s delegation remained at the protest site until late afternoon, offering moral and emotional support to the affected families.

Addressing those present, Ngahneikim Chongloi, a family member of the hostages, said the past 27 days had been marked by anxiety, uncertainty and emotional distress for the families.

She stated that despite repeated appeals over the past several weeks, the families were still awaiting a concrete response that could facilitate the safe return of their loved ones.

Clarifying the objective of the ongoing demonstration, she said the protest was a humanitarian initiative undertaken by family members seeking the release of the hostages and was not driven by political considerations.

According to her, the protest seeks to highlight the difficulties being experienced by mothers, wives, children and relatives who continue to live in uncertainty while waiting for the captives to return home.

She appealed to those holding the hostages, as well as to the authorities concerned, to consider the issue from a humanitarian perspective and take necessary steps to ensure the safe release of the captives.

The appeal drew an emotional response from many participants at the gathering, underscoring the continuing anguish of families affected by the prolonged ordeal.

As the peaceful protest entered its fourth week, the families reiterated their call for compassion and urgent intervention, urging all concerned stakeholders to prioritise humanitarian considerations and facilitate the safe return of the 14 hostages..