Edited by Elvish Haokip, Kukiland Express Desk
Songpi: May 16, 2026
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) on Friday issued a strong humanitarian appeal to both Naga and Kuki communities to immediately and unconditionally release all remaining hostages held in the wake of escalating tensions across Manipur’s hill districts. In a press statement released by its Secretary for Information & Publicity, Louis Gangmei, the group expressed grave concern over the continued detention of civilians, stating that the hostage crisis has become a flashpoint that threatens to permanently fracture inter-community relations in the region.
The ZUF emphasised that holding innocent civilians captive serves no strategic or political purpose and will only fuel cycles of retaliation and mistrust. “The Zeliangrong United Front is making a heartfelt appeal to both the Kuki and Naga communities to release all the remaining innocent hostages immediately, based on humanitarian grounds,” the statement read. The organisation warned that prolonging the crisis risks undoing decades of coexistence between neighbouring tribes and could push the state into deeper instability. The appeal follows reports that while several hostages from both communities were freed over the past two days after ultimatums from civil society groups, a number of individuals are still believed to be in captivity.
Calling for urgent restraint and wisdom, the ZUF urged all armed and civil actors to place human life and dignity above political differences. The group said that the continued holding of hostages undermines any prospect of dialogue, reconciliation, or peaceful settlement. “The Zeliangrong United Front calls on all parties involved to act with wisdom, restraint, and compassion by ensuring the safe and unconditional release of the hostages as soon as possible,” the statement added. The ZUF positioned itself as a neutral voice advocating for de-escalation, noting that violence against non-combatants erodes moral legitimacy for any cause.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of renewed unrest in Manipur, where targeted abductions and killings have been reported in Kangpokpi, Senapati, and adjoining districts since early May. Community organisations from both sides have issued competing deadlines for the release of detainees, raising fears of wider confrontations. Civil society leaders say the ZUF’s intervention is significant because the Zeliangrong community straddles areas inhabited by both Naga and Kuki populations and has historically played a mediating role in local disputes.
Observers note that the ZUF statement aligns with recent calls from church bodies, women’s groups, and student unions urging a halt to hostage-taking and attacks on religious leaders. With the state administration under pressure to restore normalcy, the ZUF’s message adds to growing demands for central intervention and impartial investigations into the latest violence. The group reiterated that peace cannot return to Manipur’s hills until all captives are returned safely to their families and the rule of law is upheld without bias.
