Imphal: Families of 14 Kuki hostages marked the fourth week of their protest on Monday, renewing calls for the immediate and unconditional release of their relatives. The ongoing demonstration at Taphou Kuki village received fresh support as women from Kangpokpi town, led by the Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organisation and the Kangpokpi Town Committee, arrived to stand in solidarity with the affected families.
During a gathering at the residence of village chief Lenkhomang Chongloi, the delegation provided financial aid to the families. Local leaders, including Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen and Kangpokpi Town Committee chairman Seilam Singsit, attended the event. Participants held a symbolic prayer along the highway, expressing the collective anguish and uncertainty surrounding the 27-day ordeal.
Ngahneikim Chongloi, a relative of one of the hostages, spoke about the profound emotional distress families have endured while waiting for a breakthrough. She emphasized that the movement is strictly a humanitarian effort rather than a political one. Regarding the prolonged silence from officials and captors, she noted, "Despite repeated appeals over the past several weeks, the families were still awaiting a concrete response that could facilitate the safe return of their loved ones."
The families continue to urge both the captors and the relevant authorities to prioritize humanitarian concerns. By keeping their protest peaceful, they hope to secure the safe return of the 14 captives and end the uncertainty currently facing mothers, wives, and children.
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