Manipur Trouble: Stir Launched Seeking Release of Captive Nagas, Revival of Army, Police Operations

Women from the Naga communities in Manipur, on Wednesday (May 20, 2026), held massive protests throughout the state, demanding the immediate release of six of their community’s men reportedly held captive by Kuki groups, and revoking of a Centre-led Suspension of Operations agreement signed with the Kuki groups.

The Naga women staged the protests in their community majority districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Kamjong, and Noney under the Naga Women’s Union banner. They also submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, objecting to the reported abduction of 20 Naga community people by Kuki groups, in two separate incidents.

The Naga Women’s Union demanded that the Centre immediately secure the release of the six Naga hostages, arrest and prosecute all those involved in the incident, deliver justice for a fellow Naga, who was killed in Noney district and ensure welfare, rehabilitation, and protection of the women who had been released.

Further, the union demanded the revival of security operations by abrogating the Suspension of Operations agreement, strengthening of the state forces to secure the lives of citizens and restoration of peace, justice, and security in the affected Naga areas.

Suspected militants had killed three tribal church leaders in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district on May 13. Later that day, a Naga civilian was killed in Noney, while “over 38 people” from both communities were abducted by different groups. On May 15, Nagas released 14 Kuki civilians, and similarly, Kukis freed 14 Naga individuals.

Kuki organisations said 14 more of their people were still missing, while Naga organisations said there was no trace of the remaining six Naga individuals. State officials said that security forces were continuing their search and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Tangkhul Naga tribals from the Sinakeithei village in Ukhrul district met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in Imphal and urged him to deploy India Reserve Battalion personnel to the village. The delegation said repeated attacks by armed men on the village in the recent past resulted in an atmosphere of constant fear, insecurity and distress among the villagers.