Release of 28 hostages in Manipur offers hope amid ethnic violence, as church leaders call for dialogue and peace between Kuki and Naga groups.
Newsroom (15/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Indigenous Christian communities in India’s northeastern state of Manipur welcomed a rare moment of relief on May 14, following the release of 28 hostages abducted amid intensifying ethnic violence. Among those freed were two Salesian brothers whose capture had sparked concern within church circles and beyond.
The hostages were released a day after armed groups abducted at least 38 people in a series of retaliatory incidents linked to ongoing tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities. A senior police official confirmed that those freed included 12 Naga women and 14 members of the Kuki community—10 women and four men—while negotiations continue for the remaining captives.
Religious Figures Among Those Freed
Among those released were Salesian brothers Panmei Aching Albert and Poji Kiivisie Peter, who had been abducted late on May 13 while traveling from a Don Bosco residence in Imphal to Don Bosco Maram, approximately 20 kilometers away. A Salesian priest accompanying them was spared, reportedly ordered to leave because he was not from the targeted ethnic group.
“The priest, originally from Tamil Nadu, was asked to leave, while the brothers, who belong to the Naga community, were taken,” a Salesian source said. Both brothers were released unharmed following coordinated negotiations.
Father Joseph Pampackal, Salesian provincial of Dimapur, expressed gratitude in a statement on May 14, praising the collective efforts that secured their release. He highlighted the cooperation of civil society groups, church leaders, police authorities, and community elders working “tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a peaceful outcome.”
He also underscored the role of Kuki leaders, describing their actions as “a powerful sign of reconciliation, compassion and mutual respect,” even amid strained relations.
Cycle of Violence Deepens
The abductions occurred shortly after a deadly ambush on May 13 in which three senior Kuki Church leaders were killed. The incident triggered a chain reaction of retaliatory kidnappings, with 23 Kuki farmers and laborers and 15 Nagas taken captive.
Although no armed group has officially claimed responsibility, Church sources indicate that the abductions were reciprocal acts: Kuki groups targeting Nagas and vice versa. The violence represents a sharp escalation in tensions that have been simmering since April 18, when two Naga men were killed in Ukhrul district.
Accusations over that attack deepened mistrust. Naga groups blamed Kuki militants, while Kuki leaders rejected the allegations. Since then, at least 10 people from both communities have been killed, and multiple villages have been set ablaze.
Broader Conflict Context
The recent clashes unfold against a backdrop of prolonged instability in Manipur, a small hill state bordering conflict-ridden Myanmar. For more than three years, the region has been ravaged by ethnic violence primarily between the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zo tribal communities and the mainly Hindu Meitei population.
The broader conflict erupted over disputes regarding tribal status, after Meitei groups sought recognition that tribal communities strongly opposed. The consequences have been severe: more than 260 people killed, around 60,000 displaced, over 11,000 homes destroyed, and more than 360 churches and Christian institutions damaged or burned.
Indigenous Christians account for roughly 41 percent of Manipur’s 3.2 million people, while Meiteis make up about 53 percent, underlining the demographic complexity that shapes the conflict.
Concerns Over Fragmentation of Christian Unity
Some Church leaders view the recent inter-tribal violence among Christian communities as particularly troubling. They fear it may weaken internal solidarity at a time when unity is critical.
“There is concern that these divisions are being exploited to fragment the Christian population,” one church leader said on condition of anonymity. “We want peace, and it will not come through violence.”
The leader called for renewed dialogue, warning that continued retaliation would only deepen divisions. “Unless we sit together and address our misunderstandings, we risk weakening our communities further,” he said, urging all sides to abandon violence.
A Precarious Path Forward
While the release of the 28 hostages has been welcomed as a positive development, it underscores the fragile security situation in Manipur. Negotiations are ongoing to secure the freedom of those still held, as authorities and civil society groups attempt to prevent further escalation.
For many observers, the episode illustrates both the volatility of the current environment and the potential for community-led reconciliation efforts. The involvement of local leaders in securing the hostages’ release has offered a rare example of cooperation in a deeply divided landscape.
Yet the path to sustained peace remains uncertain. As cycles of violence persist and grievances deepen, church leaders and community mediators continue to stress one consistent message: only dialogue—not retaliation—can restore stability to a region long scarred by conflict.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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