Nagas stage protest in Imphal demanding release of 6 civilians allegedly held by Kuki Militants

Hundreds of Nagas staged a protest in Manipur’s capital Imphal on Monday demanding the immediate release of six civilians allegedly held hostage by suspected Kuki militants, officials said.

Organised by the Naga People’s Union Imphal, the rally was joined by several members of the Meitei community and began from the Tribal Market area in Imphal East district. The protesters marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence, raising slogans and carrying placards demanding justice.

However, security forces stopped the rally near Palace Gate, around 200 metres from the Chief Minister’s bungalow, after it had covered nearly 300 metres. While the main group was halted, a delegation of the union was allowed to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh.

In the memorandum, the organisation demanded urgent action against armed Kuki militants allegedly involved in the abduction of six Naga civilians. It also called for the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, alleging links between her family and militant groups, and sought the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

Protesters raised slogans including “Release Six Nagas without condition” and “Repeal SoO,” intensifying political tensions in the region.

Officials said the unrest is linked to ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, where multiple abduction incidents have been reported in recent weeks. While several people have since been released, six Naga civilians remain missing.

The situation in Manipur continues to remain tense amid competing claims of abductions and counter-allegations between different groups.