Church Leaders Mediate as Manipur Hostage Crisis Persists

Imphal: A 10-member delegation representing the Council for Baptist Churches in North East India and the Manipur Baptist Convention has launched a peace-building mission to address the escalating hostage crisis in Manipur. The initiative, announced on May 18 following a meeting with official Y Khemchand Singh, seeks to mediate between the Naga and Kuki communities, who have been embroiled in a concerning series of abductions.

The tension follows reports that 38 individuals were abducted by armed groups in recent days. While authorities confirm that 31 people have since been released, the situation remains critical as six Naga individuals and 14 members of the Kuki community are reportedly still being held in captivity. Church leaders have issued a strong call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages on humanitarian grounds.

As part of the intervention, two distinct teams have been deployed to the region. The team assigned to the Kangpokpi district will offer condolences to the families of three church leaders recently killed in a gun attack, with the government confirming that ex gratia assistance will be provided to the victims' families. This group will also consult with local Kuki church leadership to foster dialogue.

Simultaneously, the second team will visit the Senapati district to engage with Naga church officials and civil society representatives. These efforts aim to stabilize the volatile situation and restore communication between the affected communities. High-level officials have expressed appreciation for the church's proactive role in attempting to defuse the crisis and promote lasting harmony in the state.