Twenty civilians who were allegedly taken hostage by an armed group at Shangkai village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district were released safely early Thursday morning after hours of tension in the region.

According to sources, the passengers from Ukhrul were freed and handed over to Tangkhul civil society organisations at Litan Police Station at around 4 am. After their release, the group began their journey back to Ukhrul.

The incident had sparked fresh tension in parts of Ukhrul district after around 20 civilians were reportedly taken hostage by an armed group on Wednesday.

Following the incident, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), a prominent Naga civil body, issued a two-hour ultimatum to the state and central governments demanding the immediate rescue of the civilians.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had also appealed for the safe release of the captives on humanitarian grounds.

Sources confirmed that the civilians were released early Thursday, bringing relief to their families and easing the tense situation in the district.