In an emotionally charged homecoming that brought tears, prayers and relief to an entire community, the 14 Kuki-Zo men who had been held hostage since the evening of May 13 were safely released on Tuesday and reunited with their families at the residence of the Chief of Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district.
Scenes of overwhelming emotion unfolded as family members embraced their loved ones for the first time in nearly four weeks. Mothers, wives, children and relatives broke down in tears, hugging the released men tightly as months of fear, uncertainty and anguish gave way to relief. Many were seen weeping uncontrollably, while villagers gathered in prayer and thanksgiving to mark their safe return.
Before being handed over to their families, the released hostages underwent medical examinations conducted by personnel of the Assam Rifles along with district health officials to assess their physical condition after weeks in captivity.
The safe release of the detainees has brought an end to a prolonged humanitarian crisis that had gripped the Kuki-Zo community and triggered widespread appeals from civil society organisations, church leaders, tribal bodies and political leaders across the region.
On behalf of the affected families, Kuki-Zo civil society organisations and the Kuki-Zo people, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen expressed profound gratitude to all individuals, organisations and authorities who played a role in securing the hostages’ safe release.
“This is a day of immense relief and thanksgiving. We sincerely appreciate every effort, intervention and act of goodwill that contributed to bringing our people home safely,” he said.
The successful resolution of the hostage crisis drew responses from prominent Kuki-Zo organisations and leaders, who described the development as a victory for humanitarian values, dialogue and collective responsibility.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen issued a message of gratitude, thanking the Union Home Minister, the Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Meghalaya, security forces, Naga civil society organisations, the Baptist World Alliance and all individuals and groups whose humanitarian interventions helped secure the safe release of the detainees. She said the outcome reaffirmed the enduring strength of compassion, dialogue and collective conscience even during the most difficult times.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) also conveyed its appreciation to the Central and Manipur governments, the Director General of Police, Assam Rifles, the United Naga Council, the Naga Students’ Federation and various civil society organisations whose coordinated efforts culminated in the release of the hostages. The apex tribal body further acknowledged the role of Christian leaders from Nagaland and Manipur in facilitating the process and urged all communities to embrace peace and reconciliation over continued cycles of violence.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) welcomed the release as a moment of immense relief for the affected families and the wider Kuki-Zo community. The organisation expressed gratitude to government agencies, security forces, civil administrators, tribal leaders, community organisations and mediators whose sustained efforts helped secure the captives’ unconditional release. KOHUR also renewed its appeal for the protection of civilians and urged all stakeholders to resolve differences through dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful means.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) also expressed profound gratitude to the Government of India, the governments of Nagaland and Manipur, church leaders and all stakeholders whose interventions led to the safe release of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians who had been held hostage in Senapati for nearly a month.
The committee thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh for responding to the plight of the Kuki-Zo community and facilitating the safe return of the hostages.
The CoTU also lauded Manipur Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Loshi Dikho for their sustained efforts in bridging the trust deficit between tribal communities and helping break the prolonged deadlock that had hindered dialogue.
Acknowledging the role of Christian institutions, the committee extended special gratitude to Baptist churches across the Northeast for consistently preaching forgiveness, reconciliation and peace despite heightened tensions and mistrust between communities.
In a significant appeal for peace, the CoTU noted that the families of the three slain Kuki-Zo church leaders—Rev. Dr. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaiggoulen and Pastor Paoggoulen—had chosen forgiveness over vengeance, entrusting justice to God despite the pain of their loss.
Calling upon believers to uphold Christian values and pursue peace, the committee urged all communities to embrace reconciliation and act in accordance with faith, compassion and mutual respect.
The statement came hours after the emotional homecoming of the 14 released hostages, whose return brought relief to families and marked a major breakthrough in efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
