Held captive, 21 Nagas released in Manipur’s restive Ukhrul district

GUWAHATI

The bodies of two Kuki men missing after a shooting incident were recovered from a jungle in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Thursday (March 12, 2026) early morning, hours after 21 Tangkhul Naga people were released by their captors in the adjoining Ukhrul district, triggering fresh tension.

The Naga individuals, including women and children, were travelling on the Imphal-Ukhrul Road when a Kuki group intercepted their vehicles and held them captives on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). This was reportedly in retaliation for an anti-poppy cultivation drive by “Naga volunteers” on March 11, after which two Kuki cultivators went missing while another sustained bullet injuries.

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Ukhrul and Kamjong are Naga-dominated districts. Ukhrul town is about 80 km from Manipur’s capital, Imphal.

District officials said the 21 Nagas were handed over to the Army late Wednesday night (March 11, 2026). Army personnel ensured their safe travel to Ukhrul town.

The post-release relief proved to be temporary when Kuki protestors blocked the Ukhrul-Imphal Road after the bodies of two of their tribesmen were found in a forested patch near Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district. Thawai Kuki is close to Shangkai, another affected village in Ukhrul district.

“The two, identified as Thengin Baite (40) and Thangboimang Khongsai (35), went missing after “Naga volunteers” allegedly opened fire on Kuki villagers. While the Nagas claimed the incident occurred during a drive against poppy cultivation in the area,” the Kukis said the firing was unprovoked.

“The situation continues to remain tense. Personnel from paramilitary forces, the Army, and Manipur police have been deployed in the affected areas to help restore normalcy,” Ukhrul’s Deputy Commissioner, Asish Das, said.

The tension is concentrated in the Litan area of Ukhrul district, which witnessed a wave of violence and arson in February. The genesis of the localised conflict between the Kukis and Nagas was an assault case.

On Wednesday (March 11, 2026), Chief Minister Yumnan Khemchand Singh appealed for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted persons at the earliest. He assured their families and the public that the government was treating the matter seriously and would take all necessary steps to book those involved.