FOR generations, the hills of Manipur have been home to vibrant tribal communities who share deeply rooted histories and faiths. The Kuki and Naga peoples are not just neighbours; they are brothers sharing a profound bond as fellow tribals and Christians. Yet, recent tensions have cast a long shadow over this landscape. While we acknowledge the release of 14 Kuki hostages, it is deeply distressing that 14 others including young teenagers like 16-year-old Hengunsei and 17-year-old Tonggoulen remain in illegal detention. When communities with so much in common are divided, the weight of the crisis is felt by every family yearning for safety.
The latest statements from the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the United Naga Council (UNC), and civil society groups in Nagaland like the Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organization (NZPO), Zeliangrong Baudi (N), and Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) reveal the raw anxiety of this moment. KIM has extended a Total Shutdown to demand the safe return of the remaining 14 individuals, while the UNC is working with the government to verify their status. Crucially, the joint appeal from the Peren district CSOs reminds us that these barbaric acts, especially following the tragic killing of church leaders, have no place among Christian societies. They rightly argue that such incidents should not be allowed to destroy the peaceful coexistence that has defined the tribes for decades.
At the heart of this appeal is a simple truth: the innocent must never be used as pawns. No individual or organisation should take the law into their own hands based on emotional outbursts. Because both communities share a foundation of faith that preaches grace and love for one’s neighbour, there is already a common ground to bridge this divide. Harming civilians only deepens wounds, making the road to reconciliation much harder for the next generation.
Lasting peace cannot be won through retaliation; it can only be built through genuine dialogue and the rule of law. The remaining hostages must be released immediately and unharmed to prevent further escalation. As the leaders from Nagaland and Manipur have voiced, we must contain this crisis before it spreads. Both Kuki and Naga leaders must choose the hard work of communication over the destructive cycle of violence. By resolving this crisis bloodlessly, these two resilient tribal groups can protect their shared heritage and secure the peaceful, stable future that their children deserve.
~ Zogam Today | Editorial | 16.05.2026
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