Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has welcomed the safe release of the Kuki hostages by the United Naga Council and Naga civil society organisations. The hostages were released today, nearly a month after they were abducted by armed groups in Manipur’s Senapati district.

In a social media post, Mr Rio said he had held several discussions with representatives of Naga civil society and had also formally appealed for the hostages’ release on humanitarian grounds. Mr Rio further appealed for the safe release of the six Naga hostages in a reciprocal and humanitarian manner, expressing hope that such a gesture would strengthen trust, understanding and efforts towards genuine peace and harmony.