Imphal, May 20 (PTI) Thousands of women on Wednesday staged multiple sit-in protests across Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur demanding the immediate release of six men held hostage by suspected Kuki militants.
In the Senapati district headquarters, normal life was affected as markets remained closed and commercial transport was off the roads in view of the protests.
Demonstrators raised slogans demanding justice and held placards that read “Hostages must be released; Kuki militants, stop kidnapping”.
Naga Women’s Union president Priscilla Thiumai told reporters, “We want to send a clear message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his government must give justice and bring back the hostages at the earliest without any harm.” “The culprits should be arrested and brought to book immediately. Such acts by Kuki militants, who are observing the Suspension of Operations pact with the Centre, have become a norm. This is not acceptable. We appeal to the Centre to abrogate the SoO pact with the Kuki militants,” she said.
Hundreds of women also staged similar protests in Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Noney to express solidarity with the families of the missing persons and urge the government to ensure their safe return.
More than 38 people were abducted and held hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on May 13, hours after three church leaders were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi district.
Of them, 31 people have been released, including 12 Naga women from Konsakhul village and 16 Kukis from Kangpokpi district. Two Salesian brothers were also released.
Six Naga men, however, continued to be held hostage and their whereabouts are not yet known.
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes in the state, also claimed that 14 people from the community continued to be held hostage by Naga groups. PTI COR ACD
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