Bodies of 6 Naga men recovered in Manipur; Naga body calls for shutdown, demands removal of Deputy CM

The bodies of the six Naga men who were allegedly abducted by Kuki armed groups on May 13 and had remained missing since then, were recovered by the police in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday (June 10, 2026), police said.

Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh told The Hindu that after hectic efforts of nearly 24 hours by around 15 teams of Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the mortal remains of the six missing men could be located. “Legal formalities are being done,” Mr. Singh said.

Police said in a statement that the deceased are believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.

United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Nagas in Manipur, declared a 24-hour shutdown in Naga areas and demanded the removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.

UNC said that Ms. Kipgen is the wife of Semtinthang Kipgen, president of Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), a Kuki insurgent group in Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the government and suspected to be complicit in the murder of the Naga civilians, the organisation said. The Naga body has also accused the residents of Leilon Vaiphei village of abducting the individuals.

The six men, including two pastors, and their family members were kidnapped on May 13 following the killing of three church leaders from the Thadou tribe in an ambush the same day in Kangpokpi. Twelve people, including women and children, were released later. At least 44 civilians were reportedly taken hostage by Kuki and Naga groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. While several of those abducted were released earlier, 14 members of the Kuki community who remained in captivity were released on Tuesday and the bodies of the six missing Naga men was recovered by the security forces on Wednesday.

Mutilated condition: UNC

UNC claimed that the bodies were mutilated and has refused to receive the bodies till the demands are met. “This tragedy has caused immense pain to the families and to the Naga people at large. It has shaken the faith of citizens in the government’s ability to ensure the safety and security of innocent civilians. We consider this as a direct challenge to the collective identity and security of Naga people,” UNC said, while demanding abrogation of SoO agreement with all Kuki insurgent groups.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who along with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and church bodies, had a day ago ensured the release of 14 Kuki men held hostage by Naga armed groups in Senapati since May 13 said that the “senseless act of violence is deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable”.

“What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that it occurred despite the goodwill and sincere efforts extended by the UNC to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful engagement. A gesture intended to build trust and foster understanding has instead been met with violence, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and immense suffering for their families and communities,” Mr. Sangma said.

He added that lasting peace can only be built through mutual respect, dialogue, and a commitment to resolving differences through peaceful means rather than violence.