The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on Friday appealed for “peaceful coexistence” with “our Naga brothers” amid escalating tension between the two communities in Manipur over the continuing hostage crisis.

The KZC, a platform of leading Kuki-Zo civil society organisations and community members formed in October 2024 after the Meitei-Kuki-Zo conflict erupted on May 3, 2023, made the appeal a day after a consultative meeting in Churachandpur attended by Kuki-Zo leaders of various tribes, chiefs’ associations, church forums, philanthropic groups, MLAs, and SoO groups.

The appeal comes amid growing tension between the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zo and Naga communities following the May 13 killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders in Kuki-Zo-majority Kangpokpi district and the subsequent hostage crisis.

Within hours of the ambush on the church leaders, 48 people, according to both communities, were taken hostage in Kangpokpi and Naga-majority Senapati districts. Following efforts by the government and community leaders, 28 hostages — 14 Kuki-Zos and 14 Nagas — were released on May 15. However, 20 people — 14 Kuki-Zos and six Nagas — remain in captivity, further escalating tensions.

The KZC appeal also comes in wake of the May 19 visit by church leaders to Senapati and Kangpokpi on a peace mission. The church leaders had appealed for the release of the hostages. The delegation had met chief minister Y. Khemchand Singh on May 18 and volunteered to broker peace between the Nagas and the Kuki-Zos.

In a statement issued on Friday, the KZC appealed “for peace, harmony, and brotherhood with our Naga brothers in Manipur in the true spirit of Christianity”.

“The meeting unanimously resolved to work towards peace, understanding, and peaceful coexistence at a time when unity and restraint are most needed. In this regard, we appeal to all community leaders, churches, and responsible citizens to come together in preventing any further escalation of tension and in safeguarding innocent lives. We also appeal to all armed groups and individuals to exercise restraint, respect the sanctity of human life, and uphold the values of peace and humanity,” the statement said.

The KZC also requested “all concerned and responsible parties to hand over all hostages, whether alive or dead, to the appropriate authorities and the concerned families without delay”.

Both communities have blamed armed militant groups for the hostage crisis and staged protests, shutdowns and economic blockades demanding the release of the captives.

The KZC further urged the government and security agencies “to act impartially, ensure the safety and security of all civilians, and sincerely work towards restoring normalcy, trust, and confidence among the people”, while asserting that “dialogue, mutual respect, and reconciliation must prevail over violence and confrontation”.

Manipur home minister Govindas Konthoujam on Friday also requested the release of the hostages on humanitarian grounds and said efforts were underway to trace the missing civilians. Chief minister Khemchand, during the day, appealed to people not to resort to bandhs and blockades, citing their adverse impact on daily wage earners and the overall economy.

Reports said more than 600 vehicles remained stranded in areas affected by the shutdowns and blockades.