Six bodies found in Manipur, believed to be missing Naga hostages
Security forces recovered six bodies in Manipur believed to be among the Naga civilians missing since 13 May. DNA tests, an ongoing investigation and fresh tensions now shape the aftermath.
The bodies of six persons believed to be among the Naga civilians reported missing since May 13 were recovered in Manipur on Wednesday following an extensive joint search operation by security forces, officials said.
Authorities have stated that DNA testing will be conducted to formally establish their identities.
The recovery comes a day after 14 Kuki civilians, who had been held by Naga groups for several weeks, were released unharmed by Naga civil society organisations.
According to Manipur Police, the search operation involved nearly 450 personnel from the state police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Assam Rifles, supported by sniffer dogs and forensic teams.
In a statement posted on X, Manipur Police said: "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 deceased are believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei on 13 May 2026. Necessary legal formalities are being carried out by the police, and the investigation is underway."
Officials familiar with the recovery operation said the bodies were found in a highly decomposed and mutilated condition, making visual identification difficult. The remains are expected to undergo DNA testing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal.
Large numbers of relatives and community members gathered outside the mortuaries as authorities prepared for forensic examination. Additional security personnel were deployed and barricades erected around the facilities to maintain order.
The six missing Naga men have been identified by family members and community organisations as Manu Thiumai, Kenpibou, Phenrongwi Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai, and Ch Phenrilung. They had been untraceable since May 13 and were reportedly travelling through Leilon Vaiphei Village in Kangpokpi district after returning from Konsakhul when they allegedly went missing.
The incident is linked to violence reported on May 13 in parts of Noney and Kangpokpi districts, where four civilians, including three church leaders and a Naga man, were killed. In the aftermath, 48 civilians from both Naga and Kuki communities were reportedly taken captive by rival groups.
Two days later, 28 hostages — 14 from each community — were released. However, six Naga civilians and 14 Kuki civilians remained unaccounted for until the Kuki captives were released on Tuesday.
The United Naga Council (UNC) said it released the remaining 14 Kuki civilians unconditionally on humanitarian grounds. UNC president Ng Lorho stated that the decision was influenced by assurances from authorities that efforts to trace the missing Naga civilians would continue.
"Nagas are cultured people. We uphold our ethics and respect international human rights principles. We are also considering the commitment conveyed through the Government of Nagaland that all efforts would be made to trace the missing six Naga hostages," Lorho said during the release.
The UNC had earlier said that the Manipur government assured Naga civil bodies on June 7 that every effort would be made to determine the status of the missing persons within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex Kuki organisation in the state, expressed condolences following the recovery of the bodies and called for a thorough investigation.
"We strongly urge the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and allow the law to take its legal course," KIM said in a statement.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Security agencies remain on alert as tensions continue in parts of Manipur amid ongoing ethnic divisions and sporadic incidents of violence.
In a related development, police said two trucks were set ablaze by a mob in Senapati district on Wednesday evening following reports of the recovery of the bodies. No casualties were reported in the incident.