Imphal, March 12 Twenty-one Tangkhul Naga civilians, who were detained by villagers and armed members of the Kuki community in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, were released early on Thursday following negotiations, officials said.
The civilians, traveling in three vehicles, were detained by Kuki villagers and armed men at Shangkai on Wednesday afternoon.
"Following intense negotiations involving the state government and civil society organizations from both the Naga and Kuki communities, the detained civilians were released around 4 am," an official said.
The civilians were brought to the Litan police station, 5 km from Shangkai, and reunited with their respective families, he said.
Tension remained high on Thursday morning in the Tangkhul Naga-majority district, particularly along areas bordering Kuki-majority Kangpokpi, with security forces conducting patrols to avoid any unwanted incidents, the official said.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand had expressed "deep concern regarding the distressing situation along the Ukhrul-Imphal Road, where innocent civilians have reportedly been held captive under the area covered by the Litan police station".
Singh had appealed to those responsible to uphold the highest traditions of humanity and ensure the safe and unconditional release of all the civilians at the earliest.
He also assured the public that the government was "treating the matter seriously and would take necessary steps to book the culprits involved in such a cowardly act".
The Shangkai Village Authority had alleged that 'Tangkhul volunteers' fired upon villagers who were working in the fields, following which they were detained.
It also said that two members of the Kuki community, who had gone to repair a water pipeline, were fired upon and remained missing.
Gunfights between armed groups of two communities were also reported in nearby Thawai Kuki and Mahadeva areas in the district on Wednesday.