Manipur stir on; Kukis want President’s Rule back

17 MAY 2026

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people took to the streets in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts of Manipur, demanding the unconditional release of Kuki hostages and justice for three Kuki church leaders killed in an ambush by extremists on May 13, 2026.
Kuki-Zo groups allege that Naga insurgents were behind the killings, though groups like the ZUF-Kamson faction have denied the claims.
In immediate retaliation for the church leaders’ deaths, Kuki militants abducted Naga civilians. Concurrently, Naga armed groups abducted members of the Kuki-Zo community.
According to Manipur’s Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, more than 38 Kuki and Naga people were held captives by various armed groups.
Security forces and community-based organisations helped secure the release of 28 hostages.
In a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, several Kuki civil society groups called for the reimposition of President’s Rule in the State.
Their demands include a National Investigation Agency probe into the killing of the church leaders, a permanent security guarantee for civilians and vulnerable villages, the establishment of special security zones in conflict-prone areas, and an expedited political engagement with Kuki-Zomi extremist groups under the Suspension of Operations pact.