Internal Security
Manipur: Thousands of Naga women stage sit-in protest, demand release of six men held hostage
The Naga Women's Union, under the aegis of the Senapati District Women Association and parallel bodies across Manipur, organised large-scale sit-in protests ...
Note: This article covers the same Manipur Naga–Kuki hostage crisis as article 97982. For the comprehensive explainer — including static topic bridges on Suspension of Operations (SoO), Sixth Schedule, AFSPA, Naga peace process, and Naga–Kuki ethnic conflict history — see:
97982_manipur-naga-kuki-hostage-crisis-soo-ethnic-conflict.md
What Happened
- The Naga Women's Union, under the aegis of the Senapati District Women Association and parallel bodies across Manipur, organised large-scale sit-in protests on May 20, 2026, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of six Naga men abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Senapati district on May 13.
- Thousands of women gathered simultaneously at Tribal Market, New Checkon (Imphal East) and in multiple Naga-inhabited districts: Senapati, Noney, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tamenglong.
- The six missing persons — Dr. Rev. Manu, Pastor Kenpibou, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou, Phenrongwibou Thiumai, and Ch. Phenrilungbou — remained untraced at the time of the protests.
- The Naga Women's Union called on both the state and Central governments to use "any and all professional mechanisms and power" to secure the safe release of the captives.
- Protesters also demanded the arrest and prosecution of all armed individuals and groups responsible for the abductions.
- The protests were a civil society response to the broader ethnic hostage crisis in which over 40 civilians from Naga and Kuki-Zo communities had been held hostage since May 13; approximately 28–30 were released by May 15, but six Naga captives remained missing.
Key Facts & Data
- Protest organiser: Naga Women's Union (Senapati District Women Association and allied bodies)
- Protest date: May 20, 2026
- Districts of simultaneous protests: Senapati, Noney, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Churachandpur, Chandel, Tamenglong, Imphal East
- Six named captives: Dr. Rev. Manu, Pastor Kenpibou, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou, Phenrongwibou Thiumai, Ch. Phenrilungbou
- Abduction date: May 13, 2026; location: Leilon Vaiphei village, Senapati district
- Total hostages at peak: 40+ (both Naga and Kuki-Zo communities)
- Released by May 15: ~28–30 hostages