Thousands of people from Naga and Meitei communities staged a massive protest rally in Imphal on Monday, May 25 expressing anger and frustration over the alleged captivity of six Naga civilians who have reportedly remained hostage for more than a week.

The protest was organised under the aegis of the Naga People’s Union (NPU) Imphal. The rally began from Tribal Market in Imphal and proceeded towards the Chief Minister’s Secretariat with the intention of submitting a memorandum to the state government.

However, security personnel stopped the protesters at Palace Compound near the Thangal General statue. Later, six representatives of NPU Imphal were allowed to meet the Chief Minister and submit their memorandum.

Participants from various indigenous Naga and Meitei communities joined the demonstration wearing traditional attire. A large contingent of central and state security forces was deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

The protesters remained gathered at Palace Compound until the NPU representatives returned from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. During the agitation, demonstrators raised slogans demanding immediate rescue of the six hostages and stronger action against armed groups allegedly involved in the incident.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the protest, the Secretary of NPU Imphal said that six Naga civilians allegedly held captive by Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei had still not been released even after more than a week.

He stated that the indigenous communities were deeply distressed by the incident and described the protest as a peaceful democratic movement seeking firm government intervention for the safe rescue of the hostages.

The NPU representative said several civil society organisations had submitted memorandums to the government regarding the matter. He warned that if the government failed to address their demands within a stipulated period, the agitation would be intensified.

The protesters also demanded immediate government intervention to ensure justice, protection of innocent civilians and an end to violence affecting local communities.

During the protest, demonstrators questioned the appointment of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and raised allegations regarding militant links, while also criticising the Suspension of Operations agreement and the role of central security forces.

Ashune Enah, one of the speakers during the protest, said that Manipur had been facing prolonged conflict for the past three years, affecting all sections of society. She said the public no longer wished to continue living under such conditions and reiterated the demand for immediate rescue of the six civilians.

Another protester, identified as Th Paorei, appealed for the release of the hostages and criticised Kuki groups for allegedly denying that the captives were in their custody.

“I feel like they are playing with the lives and emotions of the families and the Naga people,” he said.

Paorei further stated that the hostages had allegedly remained captive for nearly two weeks and urged the government to take effective measures to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Stressing that the rally reflected the people’s commitment to peace, he appealed to the Kuki groups to release the hostages and cautioned against interpreting the restraint shown by the protesters as weakness.