Tension and frustration continued to mount among members of the Naga community as six civilians abducted from Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on May 13 remained in captivity even after four days of protests.

According to protesters, 20 Naga civilians were allegedly taken hostage by armed Kuki groups during the incident. While several of them were later released, six people are still unaccounted for, triggering widespread outrage and anxiety among local residents and civil society organisations.

Demonstrations have been continuing since the day of the abduction, with protesters accusing the authorities of failing to act decisively to secure the safe return of the remaining hostages.

The protest at Kanglatongbi in Kangpokpi district is being organised by the Koubru Range Liangmai Women’s Union, with women protesters leading calls for immediate intervention by both the Centre and the Manipur government.

One of the protesters, Suchitra, expressed anger over what she described as the government’s failure to respond adequately despite repeated appeals from the community.

“Since childhood we have been taught that the government is for the people. Yet when we are in need, where has the government gone? Aren’t we citizens of India?” she said while addressing the gathering.

Appealing to the Central government to intervene urgently, she said the families of those abducted were living in fear and uncertainty. “We don’t know whether our Naga brothers are still alive or not. We need your help,” she said.

She also urged the Manipur government to prove through action that it could ensure the safety of civilians caught in the ongoing ethnic tensions in the state.

“We have been protesting since the day our beloved Naga civilians from Konsakhul were abducted on May 13. Six of them are yet to be released. We have been demanding their safe release, but no positive response has been received from the government,” she said, calling on the Chief Minister to take immediate steps for their rescue.

The incident has further deepened concerns over security and inter-community tensions in the region, with protesters warning that public anger is growing over the delay in securing the release of the remaining captives.