By The Straits Times | Created at 2026-06-10 15:30:00 | Updated at 2026-06-15 07:06:35
4 days ago
GUWAHATI, India, June 10 - Six men from the Naga community in India's northeastern Manipur state have died after they were believed to have been taken hostage by an armed group nearly a month ago, state police said on Wednesday, amid escalating tensions between two predominantly Christian tribes in the state.
• The men, who were from the Christian Naga community, are believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, Manipur Police said in a post on X.
• They were found after more than 24 hours of search operations by police, involving 450 personnel and sniffer dogs, the X post by Manipur police said.
• Clashes first broke out in May 2023 between Manipur's dominant, mostly Hindu Meitei community and the mainly Christian Kuki tribes over economic benefits and job quotas.
• However, in February, the state's Naga community, the third ethnic group in Manipur, also became embroiled in the unrest after a Naga man was allegedly assaulted by Kuki men.
• About 260 people have been killed and more than 60,000 displaced since the unrest began. REUTERS
