By NE NOW NEWS
Imphal: The Kuki Inpi Manipur has announced the extension of its ongoing shutdown for another 48 hours, effective from midnight of May 21, 2026.
The decision has been taken in view of the continued detention of Kuki-Zo individuals in Senapati district, with the organisation reiterating its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all those held.
In a statement, the organisation said the extension was necessitated by what it described as the “continued hostage situation” involving Kuki-Zo individuals, adding that the issue remains its primary concern.
Referring to recent tensions following the killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders on May 13, the organisation said the community has continued to exercise restraint in the interest of peace and coexistence.
It further claimed that despite reports of abductions and detentions, free and safe passage was extended to over 200 Naga individuals as a humanitarian gesture aimed at maintaining communal harmony.
The organisation also stated that the president of the Maralui Karalimei Swijoikang (Maram Students’ Union) was released on humanitarian grounds as part of efforts to promote goodwill and de-escalation.
Recalling past incidents, it said that during the Litan violence of March 11–12, 2026, 21 Tangkhul Naga hostages were released by the Kuki-Zo community, even as two Kuki-Zo individuals were killed and two others injured.
It also mentioned that on May 14, 2026, five Naga individuals were released along IT Road as a gesture of goodwill to prevent further escalation.
The organisation said the Kuki-Zo community has made consistent efforts to maintain peace, restraint, and humanitarian considerations during the ongoing tensions, and urged that such gestures be reciprocated.
It once again called for the unconditional and immediate release of all Kuki-Zo hostages without delay.