The United Naga Council (UNC) would like to put clearly on record the followings on the abduction of 18 innocent Naga civilians, including women and a minor child at Leilon Vaiphei, a Kuki village which occurred on May 13, 2026 between approximately 10:30 hrs and 10:50hrs while travelling between Konsakhul village and Leimakhong area and abduction of 2 Salesian brothers at Sapermeina village under Sapermeina Police Station.
The press statement issued by the Media Cell, United Naga Council stated that, “the Abduction and hostage taking at Leilon Vaiphei –
1. At the time of the abduction, Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai was travelling towards Leimakhong in a VERNA car bearing registration number MN05A-7501 along with his wife Kachiaklungliu Thiumai, his elder sister Chonmila, and family friends Leishiwon Lama and Rosy Lama.
2. Phenrilung Chawang was travelling in an Auto Rickshaw bearing registration number AS11CC-7414 along with his wife Wibonliu Chawang and relatives namely Chalunkingliu Chawang, Pawangbonliu Thiumai, Lungrailiu Bariam, Widimliu Thiumai and Dingamliu Abonmai.
3. Pastor Kenpibou was travelling towards Leimakhong on a Pulsar motorcycle bearing registration number AS04W-5917 along with Phenroungwi Thiumai.
4. Dilip Thiumai was travelling towards Konsakhul village on a Scooty bearing registration number MN06SH-3096 along with his wife Winiliu Thiumai and their minor daughter Sarah Thiumai.
5. Kaliwangbou Abonmai was travelling alone towards Konsakhul village in an Auto Rickshaw bearing registration number MN01Y-3570.
“As stated above the victims were travelling in 5 separate vehicles towards Leimakhong and to their respective destinations when they were intercepted and abducted by Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei village in collusion with Mr. Lalboi, Chief of Leilon Vaiphei.
“Out of the 18 hostages, 12 females including an infant, were released on 14th May 2026. However, the whereabouts and safety of the remaining six male hostages namely Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai, Pastor of Leimakhong Baptist Church; Pastor Kenpibou of Juna West (Harup), Phenrilung Chawang, Dilip Thiumai, Phenroungwi Thiumai and Kaliwangbou Abonmai remains unknown till date. These are undeniable facts. It is further confirmed that the last phone call made to Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai was at about 10:50 hrs, after which the Rev Manu’s phone went into switched off mode.
“It is unbelievable that with all the facts and living witness on the scene and the material time when 18 innocent Naga civilians including men, women and married couples were taken hostage together in broad daylight at Leilon Vaiphei village, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) brazenly claim that they have no knowledge of the 6 unreleased male hostages and are not in Kuki custody. The entire incident was witnessed by surviving victims and co-passengers who witnessed the 6 male hostages being violently dragged out of vehicles in front of their wives, children and fellow civilians. KIM’s denial despite overwhelming eyewitness accounts is not merely suspicious but a deliberate attempt to shield the perpetrators and cover up the truth.
“The KIM’s statement has exposed its own contradictions, deception and moral bankruptcy. Instead of standing for justice and humanity, KIM has chosen propaganda through calculated misinformation. Such conduct confirms complicity in the hostage taking and the ambush of Thadou Christian leaders on 13th May 2026. No responsible organization representing a community and advocating Christian values should distort indisputable facts while innocent fellow human beings are being perilously held hostage or at the worst already killed in cold blood.
“The 13th May 2026 ambush on Thadou church leaders in between Kotlen and Kotzim and kidnapping of 18 Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei village and 2 Salesians at Saparmeina are strongly indicative of premeditated attacks. To cover their crimes and divert public attention, they blamed the Nagas and killed an innocent Chiru Naga civilian on that day itself. Thereafter, the Kukis led by KIM and KSO enacted dramas of protest rallies in Kangpokpi, Saikul, Jantar Mantar, New Delhi etc.
“KIM must immediately reveal the whereabouts and condition of the 6 hostages. If they are alive, they must be released unconditionally and without delay. If they have been killed, their mortal remains must be handed over immediately to their families so that they may be given a dignified Christian burial according to their faith and traditions. Denial cannot erase reality and lies cannot bury the truth” added the press release issued by the Media Cell, United Naga Council.
