Imphal, June 10 -- Fourteen Kuki civilians, held hostage for 27 days amid clashes between Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur, were released unconditionally on Tuesday, even as the whereabouts of six Naga men abducted during the same cycle of violence remain unknown, officials aware of the matter said. The release follows weeks of negotiations involving church bodies, civil society groups and government authorities after retaliatory abductions triggered by the May 13 killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders and a Naga man in Kangpokpi district. The release was facilitated by the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, and other civil society organisations. The hostages were handed over by Naga Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Senapati district to the Taphou Kuki village chief in Kangpokpi district around 3.30pm in the presence of police and district officials, the officials added. "Nagas are cultured people, we uphold our ethics and respect international human rights law. We also took into consideration the assurances made by Union home minister Amit Shah to Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio that the missing six Nagas would be traced," UNC president Ng Lorho said, adding the 14 individuals were released on humanitarian grounds and in response to appeals from church bodies and political leaders. Nagaland CM Rio welcomed the move, saying on X: "I welcome the safe and humane release of the Kuki hostages by the United Naga Council and Naga civil society organisations." He said the development would help restore trust and contribute to lasting peace in Manipur. On May 13, a series of abductions followed the killings in Kangpokpi district. A total of 48 people from both communities were taken hostage. On May 15, both sides released 14 hostages each, but 14 Kukis and six Nagas remained in captivity....