The remains of six individuals, including two pastors, have been recovered in Manipur state, India. The individuals are believed to be among Naga hostages taken from Leilon Vaiphei in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on May 13, 2026.
Officials claim the bodies were recovered Wednesday afternoon (June 10) after extensive search operations in the area conducted by security forces. The discovery comes a day after 14 Kuki detainees were released by Naga civil society organizations.
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DNA identification of the six bodies began Thursday, June 11, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences. Four of the six bodies have been identified so far.
Six Naga men reported missing who are suspected to be linked to the victims have been identified as Manu Thiumai, Kenpibou, Phenrongwi Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai, and Ch Phenrilung. Mr. Kenpibou and Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai were pastors.
The hostage crisis follows the murder of three Kuki-Thadou Christian church leaders in Manipur on May 13. The murder sparked a series of retaliatory abductions involving civilians in Kuki and Naga communities, where tensions have been growing as a result of religious, political and economic divisions among the tribes.
Within hours of the incident, abductions occurred. According to India Today, 48 civilians from both Naga and Kuki communities were taken captive by rival groups. Two days later, 28 hostages — 14 from each community — were released.
Six Naga civilians and 14 Kuki civilians remained unaccounted for until the Kuki captives were released Tuesday.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Faith Pratt and originally published by the Baptist Standard.
