Imphal, May 16: Talks are underway among civil society organisations, representatives of the Manipur government and security forces to ensure the safe release of those who are still being held hostage by armed groups, officials said on Saturday.
Thirty-one of around 38 people belonging to the Kuki and Naga communities, who were held hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, were released on Thursday and Friday.
These people were taken to undisclosed locations after suspected militants shot dead three church leaders and injured four others in Kangpokpi on Wednesday, while a civilian was gunned down and his wife was wounded in Noney district.
All-out efforts are being made to ensure the “safe release of the remaining persons”, the police said.
As a result of “concerted efforts” of the administration, security forces, political leaders and civil society organisations, the “majority of the detained civilians, belonging to different communities, have been released safely”, the police said in a statement.
“Talks are going on among civil society organisations, representatives of the state government, security forces and Naga and Kuki stakeholders to ensure the safe release of those who are still being held hostage by armed groups,” an official said.
Twelve Naga women from Konsakhul village, who were held captive by armed militants, were released at Makhan village, another senior officer said.
Four men and ten women of the Kuki community, who were also held in captivity in Senapati district, were handed over to security forces late Thursday night, he said.
“Two Salesian brothers of Don Bosco, including one from Nagaland, were also released by armed groups at separate locations,” the officer said.
On Thursday evening, three persons, including an 18-year-old woman, belonging to the Kuki community, were handed over to the police teams in the Senapati district, another officer said.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam had on Thursday said the government was actively holding discussions with civil society groups and political leaders to secure the release of these people. (PTI)
