Manipur National Highway Blocked As Kukis, Nagas Stage Protests Over Missing Persons
Manipur Highway Blocked As Kukis, Nagas Stage Protests Over Missing Persons Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 16:06 IST At least 38 people were
Manipur Highway Blocked As Kukis, Nagas Stage Protests Over Missing Persons Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 16:06 IST At least 38 people were taken hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on May 13, of which seven are still missing. Rapid Read Normal life has been paralysed in Manipur after the killing of church leaders in Kangpokpi on May 13. (PTI/File) Traffic on Highway-2 in Manipur was blocked on Tuesday as Kuki and Naga communities staged a massive protest over missing persons following an ambush by armed groups in the Kangpokpi district on May 13. At least 38 people were taken hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, of which seven are still missing. The armed groups held them captive in an unknown area after killing three church leaders and injuring four others on May 13.
The people held hostage by the armed groups belonged to Kuki and Naga communities. Authorities said 31 people have been released so far, including 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village and four men and ten women of the Kuki community in Senapati district. ALSO READ: Seven Of 38 People Abducted In Manipur Remain Untraceable, Govt Holding Talks For Release Economic Blockade In Manipur Tensions further escalated as United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Nagas, claimed six people are still in captivity, while a Kuki body alleged that 14 persons are missing from their community. Both communities have accused each other of holding their members captive. The UNC announced an indefinite inter-district economic blockade on national highways passing through Naga-dominated areas of Manipur to protest the disappearance of the individuals. At the same time, Kuki Inpi Manipur extended its shutdown by another 48 hours, accusing authorities of failing to rescue the missing persons.
The blockade caused a shortage of food and drinking water for truckers, according to The Economic Times. “We are just transporting goods. The groups must resolve these issues among themselves. We want the government to open the road so that we can move," one of the truckers was quoted as saying. Security Forces Launch Operations Meanwhile, security forces in Manipur aunched operations in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district to rescue those who are still being held hostage by armed groups. Area domination exercises and search operations are also being carried out in different parts of the district. “In continuation of the operations to rescue the missing persons, combing and search operations were carried out by security forces in the hill ranges to the north west of Leilon Vaiphei and Kharam Vaiphei villages in Kangpokpi district," the police said in a statement.
Two church teams are set to visit the Kangpokpi and Senapati districts in an attempt to broker peace between the Naga and Kuki communities, according to an official statement. (with PTI inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Imphal, India, India First Published: May 19, 2026, 15:57 IST News india Manipur Highway Blocked As Kukis, Nagas Stage Protests Over Missing Persons Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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