Bodies of 6 suspected Naga hostages found in Manipur

Security forces in Manipur recovered the mortal remains of six people, believed to be Naga hostages captured by Kuki militants last month, following an extensive search on Wednesday, a day after 14 Kuki civilians held by Naga groups were set free.

- Thomas Ngangom

This is the largest casualty in the strife-torn state since November 11, 2024, in which 11 armed militants were killed in a gunfight between armed Kuki volunteers with the CRPF in Manipur's Jiribam district. While an official death toll in the three-year-long violence is yet to be provided by the government, an RTI response to senior Congress Hareshwar Goshwami revealed that the government has provided ex-gratia to families of 217 victims as of March this year.

Manipur police confirmed that the mortal remains found on Wednesday afternoon are believed to be the six Nagas who were abducted earlier.

“After nearly 24 hours of sustained search operations involving around 450 personnel of the Manipur Police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles, assisted by sniffer dogs and forensic expert teams, the mortal remains of six persons were recovered this afternoon,” the police said on social media.

“The deceased are believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei on May 13, 2026. Necessary legal formalities are being carried out by the police, and the investigation is under-way,” the police added.

Officials requesting anonymity stated that the mortal remains were handed over to Assam Rifles personnel as mutilated bodies. The identification of the bodies could only be done through DNA testing.

The six Naga individuals identified as Manu Thiumai, Kenpibou, Phenrongwi Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai and Ch Phenrilung were untraceable since May 13.

The bodies were not able to reach the morgue of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science (JNIMS), Porompat, Imphal East as hundreds of protestors have gathered at the hospital.